For Local Health and Beauty Professional Care, contact these providers:

James A. Hoffman, LMT provides mobile full body massages, sports massage and On-Site Chair Massages, using a blend of Swedish and Oriental Massage Techniques. The full body treatments are done in the comfort of your own home so that you don’t have to get stressed out driving to and from the session. You can also have an outdoor massage or any other location of your choice. Chair massages are offered for businesses too. Call today for your appointment, available daily 7:00am to 10:00pm. Emergency treatments any hour. 771-8498.

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(MS) — With 206 bones in the human body, you would think they’d get more fanfare. But many people take their bones — the entire skeletal system — for granted, pushing their bodies without attention to bone health.

Your bones perform a number of essential functions. They support and protect your internal organs. Bones serve as levers and braces for your muscles so you can move freely. They also produce and store blood cells in the bone marrow. While many think of bones as hard parts of the body that change little, they are actually comprised of living tissue that’s constantly growing and serving important functions.

When a baby is born, bones are made of flexible cartilage. As people age, the bones go through a process of ossification, where the cartilage is replaced by hard deposits of calcium phosphate and stretchy collagen. Calcium and sodium, in addition to other minerals, are also found in bones. Although bones are very strong, they are not indestructable. When a bone breaks, it is called a fracture.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), fractures are among the most common orthopedic complaints, with approximately 7 million broken bones each year in the U.S. Up until age 45, men are more likely to experience fractures. After age 45, the number of women experiencing fractures increases. Prior to age 75, the most common fracture occurs in the wrist. After age 75, hip fractures are the most common.

Fractures can occur from a number of causes. These include a blow to a bone, a fall, osteoporosis, a condition of weak or porous bones, or certain diseases or medications that affect bone density. The best way to care for bone fractures is to prevent them in the first place. Here’s how:

• Make safety a priority during work and play. Always wear protective gear when the risk for injury is present.

• Exercise regularly. Frequent exercise improves bone health and strength.

• Consume a varied diet and foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Calcium and vitamin D are essential to maintaining healthy bones. Check with your doctor to see if a calcium supplement is necessary. FP085628

(MS) — Men and women are often compared in today’s society and viewed as equals. Men are living longer, closing the gap on life expectancy, and women are fighting discrimination in the workplace, closing the gap on salary disparities. Despite how much we’re expected to view each other as equals, there are still distinct differences between men and women, including priorities on health care.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that men don’t seek medical care as often as women do. Men are statistically more inclined to smoke and drink alcohol than women. Men are also susceptible to conditions that affect them alone. Prostate cancer is one of the diseases unique to males, and one of the most common forms of cancer in men, just behind skin cancers, offers the American Cancer Society.

In an effort to educate men about what healthcare topics they should be concerned with the most, and to encourage men to step up on routine medical visits, this men’s health quiz, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is offered. Answer True or False to the questions below. Answers follow.

MEN’S HEALTH QUIZ

1. Adults should engage in fifteen minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every day.
2. Exposure to substances in the workplace can impact a man’s ability to have healthy children.
3. Males are more likely to die in a workplace injury than women.
4. Children are the only ones who need vaccinations, and shots are unnecessary after age 21.
5. Suicide rates are higher for men than women.
6. More men die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer.
7. Cancer is the leading cause of death for both men and women.

Answers:
1. False: Thirty minutes of exercise is recommended daily.
2. True: Certain chemicals present can impact sperm health and the propensity for conception.
3. True: In 2005, statistics indicated that men accounted for 93 percent of workplace fatalities.
4. False: Adults should acquire routine vaccinations for tetanus and influenza at the least.
5. False
6. True: Although it is widely believed that prostate cancer causes the most fatalities.
7. False: Heart disease is the biggest concern for men and women. Lowering cholesterol, exercising and getting routine health checkups can help prevent heart attacks and heart disease. MT085784

(MS) — When it comes to weight training, lots of men are apt to write it off as a young man’s game. However, men in or nearing middle age can gain a lot from lifting weights.

As a man enters his 30s, muscle loss begins to occur at a rapid pace. Consider the case of a male professional athlete, who is often considered in his prime when he is between the ages of 27 to 29. After that time, it is expected that an athlete will begin to lose something off his performance each year thereafter. This is no different for “Average Joes,” who can expect to begin losing muscle around the time they enter their 30s.

For men entering their 40s, weight training can be a great way to prevent muscle loss, increase metabolism and reduce the risk of injury. But for men considering lifting weights as they enter their 30s and 40s, weight lifting is not just something that a man should dive right into. Instead, the following precautions should be taken to ensure injuries are avoided.

• Truly commit to weight training. Fitting in an exercise session here or there is not a good approach. This can lead to stiffness or injury and often will not produce any meaningful or beneficial results. Weight training is habit forming, as it tends to make people feel better about themselves, which in turn inspires them to continue doing it. The more a man gets the hang of it — and the earlier he commits — the more likely he’ll get the results he’s seeking.

• Take it slow. The best way to make a weight training program successful is to master the fundamentals first and foremost. There’s a right and a wrong way to lift weights. Lifting the wrong way will almost certainly lead to injury, especially for men in their 30s and 40s. What beginners want to do is make things as easy as possible in the initial stages, and then gradually build up to a more challenging workout if so inclined.

• Stretch, stretch, stretch. Muscle pulls are the product of a poor stretching program. As men age, it’s common to lose range of motion in a joint or joints. Stretching will improve flexibility, and help restore some of that range of motion. For men who sit at a desk all day, it’s easy for muscle pulls to occur if stretching is not a part of their routine. Weight training, even light lifting, is taxing on muscles, tendons and ligaments. If not stretched properly, these muscles are more likely to suffer injury.

• Include cardiovascular exercise. Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise should be a part of every exercise regimen. Aerobic exercise helps combat what’s called “creeping obesity,” the tendency for men to gradually gain weight, most noticeably in the abdominal region, as well as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. MT085800

(MS) — There are many things to smile about come the warm-weather months. And those extra rays of sunshine are one of them. Did you know that the ultraviolet rays from the sun trigger the production of vitamin D in the skin? Vitamin D has limited availability, and can be obtained only through select foods, from sunshine, and through supplementation. By now you probably know that vitamin D helps build strong bones and prevent bone-related injuries later in life. But the vitamin is also essential for healthy teeth. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and absorption of calcium is necessary to develop and maintain healthy teeth and bones. Brushing, flossing and regular visits with a dentist are other ways to keep your smile bright and healthy. TF085801

(MS) — Many women are under the misconception that men are more likely to suffer a heart attack and coronary problems than they are. The fact of the matter is that heart disease kills more women than all types of cancers combined. Heart disease is also the leading cause of death in women over the age of 65. Women of African descent are at a higher risk for heart disease than white women. Those who smoke, are overweight, and women with diabetes are also in higher risk groups for heart attacks. Women may not experience the more obvious symptoms of heart attack, but here are the general symptoms of which to be aware: Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest. Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including arms, back, neck, jaw, stomach. Shortness of breath, breaking out in cold sweat, nausea, or light headedness. To educate women, “The Heart Truth” is a campaign to teach women about their risk for heart disease. It is accompanied by the “Red Dress Project,” where the red dress symbolizes awareness of heart disease. WT085765

(MS) — Contrary to popular belief, no evidence exists to support the notion that the common cold is contracted from exposure to cold weather or from feelings of being chilled or overheated. In addition, there is also no evidence showing that exercise or diet have an impact on one’s likelihood to catch a cold. Instead, the common cold, which is largely associated with winter and the colder weather winter often brings, can be traced to more than 200 different viruses, many of which can be classified as rhinoviruses. Surprisingly, these rhinoviruses are most active in fall, spring and summer, putting to bed another myth that colds come only in winter. Though there are more than 110 distinct types of rhinoviruses, they rarely produce serious illnesses. While viruses are responsible for a great many of the world’s colds, research also suggests allergic diseases that affect the nose and throat and even psychological stress can impact a person’s chances of getting a cold. TF084625

(MS) — People often talk about cutting stress completely out of their lives (best-case scenario) or reducing it to a degree (realistic scenario). But some experts are saying stress in low doses actually can be a good thing.

Stress produces a boost of energy for the body. Think about a deadline looming or the first few moments before a potential accident. When the brain gets clued into these situations — physical or psychological stress — it triggers the heart to start pumping faster, sharpens senses, and produces a rise in glucose throughout the body. The chemicals cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine also start racing through the body. These short-term bursts of stress can help a person perform better and more efficiently. They may also improve memory.

Give Stress a Chance

Recognizing good stress is achieved by examining your feelings after the stressful event. Do you feel a sense of accomplishment or excitement? This is a good stress. If you're feeling completely overwhelmed, it's bad stress. Good stress actually stimulates the body and can be an immune system booster, experts say. It helps improve heart function and can make you more resistant to infection.

Studies into good stress have provided interesting results. In some circles it is believed that good short-term stress benefits memory function and can help protect against diseases like Alzheimer's. Other investigations reveal that good stress may staunch estrogen production, thus helping to prevent breast cancer.

When Good Stress Goes Bad

Doctors and scientists indicate that when stress continues longer than 24 hours and is chronic, all of the good benefits to stress can sour. If the body is overrun by these flight-or-fight hormones too long, consequences such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and fatigue can occur.

For many people it's difficult to dial-down stress when it is happening. So, what started out as minor stress can escalate and produce the negative health effects. Doctors indicate there are certain signs that stress may be wreaking havoc on the immune system:

• mental fogginess

• frequent colds

• increased sensitivity to aches and pains

• flare ups of autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis or psoriasis may occur

Moderating Stress

If small levels of stress are a good thing, it's important to condition yourself to react to stress differently.

• Think optimistically: Try to focus on the positive aspects of a situation that is proving stressful, including that the end will come. An optimistic outlook can help you feel more in control.

• Learn ways to unwind: Meditate, exercise, take up a hobby — do whatever you can to find a healthy outlet for stress.

• Check perfectionism at the door:‚ÄàStriving to always be perfect or expecting it from others is unrealistic. Know what you can and cannot handle. Ask for help when things are just beyond your abilities. TF084627

(MS) — Alcohol abuse is a serious problem affecting many different people. Those who drink to excess aren’t just college or high school students; the number of alcohol abusers does not discriminate based on demographic. To recognize the serious problem of alcohol abuse, April is designated “Alcohol Awareness Month.” April 8 marks the annual observance of National Alcohol Screening Day (NASD). At locations across the United States, people can be screened — anonymously — to see if their drinking habits may be risky. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, last year more than 203,000 people participated in NASD activities at more than 5,400 screening sites nationwide. If you suspect someone you know has an alcohol problem, contact SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) at 1-800-729-6686 or find a screening site located near you. TF084676

(MS) — If coffee, cigarettes and food have left their mark on your teeth, you’re not alone. There are plenty of people who would try anything to get back their pearly whites.
“Teeth naturally yellow for a number of reasons ” according to Elisa Mello, DDS, from NYC Smile Design, a New York-based cosmetic and restorative dental practice. But did you know that Mother Nature has some natural solutions to getting back your pearly whites? Here are some tips provided by Dr. Mello:

Dos

• Eat foods that act like detergents and whiten teeth naturally. To keep teeth bright and prevent yellowing, you need to remove the staining bacteria by chewing certain crunchy fruits and vegetables that produce high salivary flow and actually work like tiny toothbrushes to help scrub away stubborn stains over time. So, take a bite out of apples, carrots, pears, guavas, cauliflower and cucumbers.

• Eat dark green vegetables. Vegetables like broccoli, lettuce and spinach act like a barrier on teeth by creating a film that prevents stains from recurring and can actually help scrub away stubborn stains over time.

• Eat lots of high-fiber and whole foods — they act as natural tooth cleansers.
• Mash a few strawberries in a bowl and then take your finger and spread the pulp all over your teeth. Leave it on a minute or two, and then thoroughly rinse and brush it off.

Don’ts

• The rule of thumb is that anything that can stain a white T-shirt can stain your teeth too. That means most varieties of berries, as well as soy sauce, red wine, many fruit juices, coffee, tea, and cola. You don’t have to avoid them altogether, but immediately after indulging, rinse out your mouth with water, brush your teeth or chew gum.

• Keep in mind that citrus fruits contain acid that can cause enamel to deteriorate over time.

• Be aware that those sports drinks, energy drinks and fitness waters contain organic acids which are known to break down calcium. So they’re especially good at eroding your teeth. Recent studies show they were more damaging to tooth enamel than cola-based drinks.

• Reduce your intake of acidic foods like vinegar. Foods that are slightly acidic open up the pores of the tooth enamel allowing for easy staining.

“Thorough cleaning by a dentist or hygienist will remove most external staining from teeth caused by food and tobacco. Using a whitening toothpaste can also help remove these surface stains between dental visits. If stains have been present for years, you may need to have your teeth professionally whitened to remove these more stubborn external stains,” notes Dr. Mello, a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry.

For more information please go to www.nycsmiledesign.com. FP085824

(MS) — As the aging process progresses, most men begin making health a priority. But many of the health problems both men and women encounter as they age are the result of lifestyle choices they made when they were younger and continued to practice as they got older. Simply put, what’s done to a body today will affect how it behaves tomorrow.

Fortunately, the human body has an amazing capacity to recuperate, meaning it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes that can make a person’s golden years more healthy and enjoyable. While the term “lifestyle change” can seem overwhelming, many of these changes are far easier to put into practice than it might seem.

• Watch your weight. Obesity levels have exceeded, reached or are approaching all-time highs in many developed nations. Obesity can be especially harmful to adults approaching their senior years, as obesity increases a person’s risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things a person can do to avoid the series of problems that men and women can encounter as they get older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that defining a healthy weight depends on a number of individual factors. For example, age is a determining factor, as a healthy weight for an individual at 45 might not be considered healthy when that individual turns 60.

Because each person is unique, defining a healthy weight is something that should be discussed on a case-by-case basis with a physician. Even if a friend of the same age and similar body type has been given a healthy weight, for instance, this doesn’t mean that’s a healthy weight for all people of that age and body type. Past health history and physical activity level are significant factors in determining a healthy weight, too.

• Make dietary changes. To some, the thought of changing their diet is an unwelcome one. Because food is such a big part of most people’s lives, this is often seen as the most difficult lifestyle change to make. However, a series of subtle changes as opposed to a massive dietary overhaul can do the trick.

While many people eat healthily during their three meals per day, it’s the in-between meals hours where diet often suffers the most. Snacks high in saturated fat, such as potato chips, can be very unhealthy. By switching snacks to a serving of fruit or vegetables, men and women can ensure they’re getting their recommended servings each day, and may be reducing the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases as a result. The majority of fruits and vegetables are low in fat and calories, and also provide essential vitamins and minerals. For those unsure of how much fruit or vegetables they should be eating each day, the CDC offers a fruits and vegetables calculator on its Web site at www.cdc.gov.

• Be more active. Becoming more physically active is something many adults need to do. The CDC estimates that 50 percent of American men and women do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits. Physicians recommend 30 minutes of daily, moderate physical exercise. While finding the time each day can be a commitment, 30 minutes, the length of a typical television sitcom, really is not much time at all.

Those who haven’t been active in a while need to ease back into being physically active, perhaps starting with a daily walk on flat ground and then gradually tailoring a routine that is more challenging and beneficial as the body acclimates itself to daily activity. Again, because every person is unique, it’s best to consult a physician before beginning any new exercise routine.

• Recognize and deal with stress. Stress can be very harmful to all men and women. The negative side effects of stress are both physical and mental. Stress can lead to excess weight gain, which, as previously mentioned, can increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Mentally, excess stress affects mood, which can negatively impact relationships with friends, family and coworkers.

While stress is a fact of life for most, both in their professional and private lives, it’s important to recognize that stress can be very detrimental. Though there are no guaranteed and foolproof ways to reduce and manage stress, research has shown that exercise has proven a reliable source of stress relief for many people. MT085764

(MS) — When it comes to preening and primping, it’s common to associate such activities with women. After all, the stereotype of the “manly man” leaves little room for checking one’s hair or grooming one’s fingernails.

However, such stereotypes are largely a thing of the past, as societal changes have made men just as image-conscious as women. For example, consider the increasing popularity of health club memberships. According to American Sports Data, 8.5 million men across the country now have health club memberships, with the average male spending roughly 91 days per year (more than 2,000 hours) in the gym. That’s nine days a year more than the average woman spends in the gym, suggesting once again that men are now just as likely to be conscious of their body image as women.
While more men are clearly hitting the gym in the hopes of improving one’s appearance, proper grooming can actually go a long way toward changing people’s perception of others. Shaving is one of a man’s grooming essentials, necessary for putting a best face forward.

For many men, shaving remains a puzzle they simply can’t solve, as razor rash and stubble seem to appear regardless of how sharp their razor is or how frequently they shave. For men who have tried it all and still can’t seem to get a smooth, comfortable shave, consider the following tips.

• Don’t jump out of bed and shave. Skin is typically puffy in the morning, as fluids collect in the skin while sleeping. Allow the skin to wake up in the morning rather than shaving right away. Enjoy a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee before putting razor to skin.

• Wet the skin before shaving. Dampen the skin with warm or hot water before shaving. Doing so swells the hair shaft, ensuring the razor will cut hair and not skin.

• Exfoliate the skin. Exfoliating the skin with a facial cleanser before shaving will remove dead skin cells, opening up the skin’s pores and preparing it for a close shave.

• Avoid mentholated shaving products. Chances are, if skin consistently feels irritated after shaving, it’s due to the shaving cream being used. Mentholated shaving products, while they might provide a “cool” sensation on the face, often irritate the skin. It’s best to avoid alcohol-based aftershaves as well, as they typically irritate the skin of most men.

• Take it slow. Hurrying through a morning shave is going to result in irritation more often than not. Use slow, short strokes when shaving, and always shave with a sharp razor. A dull blade will catch the skin as it’s dragged over the skin again and again.

• Massage shaving cream into the skin. Simply patting shaving cream onto stubble or skin will not help the skin very much, resulting in irritation after a shave. Massage shaving creams, particularly those that contain aloe vera, into the skin and stubble before shaving to get the best results.

• Shave with the grain. Always shave in the direction in which hair grows to lessen irritation. Razor rash and razor burn are often the result of shaving against the grain. MT085809

(MS) — Cervical cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer affecting women. Globally, cervical cancer is one of the second or third most common forms of cancer, say reports. More than 400,000 new cases are reported each year (mostly in disadvantaged groups who do not receive routine medical care), but preventative screening methods have been helping to reduce cervical cancer numbers among the masses.

Many women are familiar with the Papanicolaou smear, or Pap test as it has been come to be commonly known. The test is done easily as part of a routine wellness visit for women and checks for the presence of abnormal cervical lesions that could propagate into cervical cancer. Since the adoption of routine Pap tests in the late 1940s, the cases of cervical cancer have dropped considerably. But Pap tests are not 100-percent accurate.

Pap tests are obtained by swabbing the cervix and collecting cells for testing. Sometimes other tissue can get in the way of cervical cells and interfere with the results. Women often receive false readings, whether positive or negative for cervical cancer. Nationwide, physicians perform about 55 million Pap tests every year. Nearly half of the tests may come back negative even when a biopsy shows abnormal lesions.
But a relatively new addition to cervical cancer screening methods is helping to narrow down the inconsistencies with Pap tests. The test blends the familiar Pap smear with observation with a “speculite.” This is essentially a disposable chemiluminescent light — a blacklight of sorts — that attaches to the speculum the doctor uses to view the cervix. The special light turns abnormal cells white and allows the doctor to see if there are any abnormalities present. The test is known as PapSure®, although there may be other companies that have since produced a similar type of test, which go by different names. The test adds a mere five additional minutes onto the routine pelvic examination.

In an Italian study of more than 3,000 women with no history of cervical abnormalities, the sensitivity for detecting cervical abnormalities via Pap smear was 92 percent with PapSure versus 41 percent without it. The test has FDA approval and is offered at many gynecological offices worldwide.

Routine testing remains the best way to prevent or catch cervical cancer early on. This cancer tends to become more difficult to treat as the disease advances, making early diagnosis essential to a woman’s well being. Talk to your doctor if you’re interested in adding PapSure to your checkup. WT085787

(MS) — Although 14 million people in the United States alone have rosacea, 78 percent of the population doesn't even know about the disorder — including many who have it.
Rosacea is a chronic, long-term skin disorder that primarily surfaces as a reddinging and swelling of the skin. Those with rosacea tend to flush or blush very easily. Other areas that can be affected by rosacea are the ears, neck, chest, and scalp.

Although information regarding rosacea has become more mainstream in recent years, many people still do not understand the condition and many misconceptions exist. Here are some common questions and answers about rosacea.

What are the symptoms of rosacea? Rosacea signs and symptoms vary from person to person. The most common symptom is flushing on the face. Papules and pustules, types of breakouts, are also reported.

Is there a cure for rosacea? There is no current cure for the condition. But dermatologists can prescribe a number of topical or oral treatments that can diminish the signs and symptoms of the condition. Many people can enjoy a virtually normal life when controlling rosacea with treatment.

Is treatment really necessary? Can rosacea go away on its own? Generally rosacea will only get worse over time if a dermatologist doesn't help create a treatment plan. Left untreated, rosacea may advance to a situation where rhinophyma occurs. With this condition the oil glands on the nose become enlarged and the nose becomes bumpy, red and enlarged.

What causes the condition? There is no definitive answer to the cause of rosacea. Medical experts say it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

How often do people with rosacea suffer from other skin conditions? According to Rosacea.net, in a survey of more than 1,000 rosacea patients, 77 percent said they had also been diagnosed with another skin condition. Acne was the most common, followed by non-melanoma skin cancer.

Who is more likely to get rosacea? Women tend to have rosacea more than men. However, men are more likely to experience rhinophyma than women.

Can foods or beverages aggravate rosacea symptoms? Yes. Consuming spicy foods or drinking alcoholic beverages — both of which may cause you to flush naturally — can make rosacea symptoms worse. Even some medicines, like blood-pressure medication, can cause flushing, exacerbating rosacea symptoms.

Can acne medication be used on rosacea? Typically, over-the-counter acne medications are ineffectual and can actually irritate the skin or rosacea.

The emotional symptoms of rosacea tend to be worse than the actual physical symptoms. While not life-threatening, many people with the condition feel embarrassed and may become withdrawn. The good news is that with treatment and by watching diet, sun exposure and other flushing triggers, rosacea can be managed. Additionally, through treatment and some light makeup, people with rosacea can be virtually indistinguishable from those without the skin condition. TF084631

(MS) — As one ages, certain changes to the body are to be expected. One of the more common side effects of aging is vision loss.

While some degree of vision loss is common as we age, it's not entirely inevitable. Though age-related macular degeneration (AMD) causes blindness and affects nearly 2 million Americans over the age of 40, there are steps all people, young and old, can take to preserve and protect their vision.

• Get in shape: As more and more research is conducted on the effects of being overweight and obese, greater evidence is being presented as to just how negative the effects of extra pounds can be on the entire body. Vision is no exception.

A recent study showed that a woman's body mass index (BMI) can have a very negative impact on vision. Women with a BMI over 30 were found to have a higher risk of developing cataracts. In addition, excess weight is linked to a host of other problems, such as hypertension and high cholesterol. Each of those conditions negatively effects vision by slowing the flow of blood to the eyes.

Getting in shape involves improving diet, which can also help vision. Foods that are high in antioxidants, such as many fruits and vegetables, absorb harmful UV rays in the eye, almost acting as nature's sunglasses in the process.

Shedding any excess weight and including exercise in your daily routine pays great dividends across the board, not the least of which is keeping your eyes healthy for the long run.

• Quit smoking: While all smokers are running the very real risk of experiencing respiratory problems and possibly getting lung cancer, they're putting themselves in danger for other ailments. Much like some of the misconceptions associated with being overweight, few smokers realize the impact this lifestyle choice is having on other parts of their bodies, including their eyes.

Smokers are four times as likely to develop AMD as nonsmokers. That's because cigarette smoke contains harmful toxins that can enter the bloodstream and damage blood vessels in the eye. The longer a person smokes, the more damaging this can be to those blood vessels, weakening them and robbing them of their ability to function properly. While there's a host of reasons to quit smoking, smokers may not be aware that losing their vision is one of those reasons.

• Follow directions: Over the years, the popularity of contact lenses has skyrocketed. Almost as popular is leaving those lenses in for longer times than recommended. Anyone who uses contact lenses should follow the removal and cleaning guidelines that come with those lenses. Some lenses are designed so users can sleep with them still in. Others are the more traditional lenses and should be removed each night. Regardless of which are used, the directions need to be followed to avoid the dirt and bacteria that inevitably collects on the lens from causing infection or inflammation. This is one of the easiest ways to ward off AMD, and contact lens users should pay close attention to recommended guidelines. A few minutes of work at night is certainly worth preserving your vision down the road.

• Make a health statement: Sunglasses cannot only make you look better, they can help you see better over the long run as well. Sunglasses are essentially sunblock for your eyes, reducing exposure to harmful UV rays. UV rays can have a very negative impact on the eyes, from spreading cataracts to increasing the risk of AMD. Be sure to buy sunglasses that state their level of UV protection, and while style might be important, choose substance over style to ensure your vision is entirely protected. TF084673

(MS) — Oral health is often a window to overall health. Evidence supports the link between poor oral health and such conditions as stroke, premature birth and diabetes. Other conditions, such as HIV/AIDS and osteoporosis, may show preliminary signs in your mouth before other areas of the body are affected. Also, some of your daily activities or habits can affect your oral health. Therefore, it pays to pay attention to your teeth and gums.

Elisa Mello, DDS and clinical assistant professor at NYU College of Dentistry who, with her husband Ramin Tabib, DDS, established their practice, NYC Smile Design provides this valuable insight into dental hygiene.

1. Millions of Americans can crack a walnut with their teeth. While most adults exert about 20 to 40 pounds of pressure when their teeth make contact, millions of Americans exert as much as 250 pounds of pressure on their teeth — enough to crack a walnut. These teeth grinders are known as bruxers. Bruxism may be mild and may not even require treatment. However, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to damaged teeth, jaw disorder, headaches, and other problems. To prevent damage to the teeth, mouth guards or appliances have been used to treat teeth grinding and clenching.

2. Bulimia and acid reflux can destroy tooth enamel. Many people suffering from bulimia are able to hide the disorder from others but it is more difficult to keep it a secret from your dentist. Enamel erosion is a major sign of bulimic behavior. And acid reflux, whereby stomach acid flows into the esophagus and mouth, can cause tooth and gum erosion.

3. Swimming in overly chlorinated pools can wear away the enamel in frequent swimmers. Fluoride treatments can be given to help keep the teeth strong. Swimming with a well-adapted and custom-fitted mouth guard, which can minimize exposure of teeth to chlorine, also helps.

4. Soda and citrus drink overuse can be caustic to tooth enamel. The average American drinks more than 53 gallons of soft drinks each year, more than any other beverage, including milk, beer, coffee, or water. Phosphoric acid in soda and citric acid in citrus drinks can cause tooth enamel corrosion and the sugar can cause cavities.

5. Most people don’t know they have bad breath. Dr. Mello suggests this test: Using dental floss or a tongue scraper, sniff either the floss or the scraper. If your mouth is clean, you won’t have a telltale smell.

6. Infection and trauma can cause tooth enamel defects. Nutritional deficiencies during infancy, antibiotic use such as tetracycline, high fever, and trauma can all lead to tooth enamel irregularities such as pitting.

7. Eighty percent of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gum disease. It can range from simple gum inflammation, called gingivitis, to serious disease that results in damage to the bone. In gingivitis, the gums become red and swollen. They can bleed easily. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, in which the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets of infection. If ignored, the bones, gums and connective tissue supporting the teeth are destroyed.

8. One in four adults age 60 and older has lost all of his/her teeth. A good oral hygiene program should include twice daily brushing, flossing, eating a balanced diet, limiting between-meal snacks, and regular visits to your dentist for professional cleaning and oral exams.

New York based restorative and cosmetic dentists Drs. Mello and Tabib emphasize that treatment for these oral healthcare problems can range from simple cosmetic services such as teeth-whitening to extensive full-mouth reconstruction. But remember that an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure. TF083534

(MS) — Cold and flu season is upon us, affecting tens of millions of adults and children each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. A cold is rarely serious but flu can lead to complications, especially in children and the elderly. Early detection is key, especially since new anti-viral drugs must be given within two days of the infection’s onset.

Although the symptoms of cold and flu are similar, a person suffering from the flu will be house-bound, with general malaise, headache, body aches and a dry, unproductive cough. The leading indicator of flu, however, is a high temperature. For this reason, getting an accurate temperature reading has never been more important.

There are a number of thermometers available to test for fever, but not all are as accurate or easy to use as a temporal artery thermometer, such as the Exergen TemporalScanner™. Temporal artery thermometers work by measuring heat emitted from the skin over the temporal artery. This artery runs along the forehead and is directly connected to the heart by the carotid artery. The original temporal artery thermometer technology was developed by Harvard researcher Francesco Pompei, Ph.D.

All it takes is a gentle two-second swipe of the Exergen TemporalScanner over the forehead to determine if a person has a fever. Two dozen independent medical studies attest to its accuracy, including accuracy comparable to temperature taken with a rectal thermometer — long the standard for accuracy, especially in children. Temporal artery scanners are quickly becoming the thermometer of choice in doctors’ offices and hospitals across the country.

In addition to their speed, temporal artery thermometers are also noninvasive as they do not need to be inserted into any body cavity. A parent can even quickly and easily check the temperature of a sleeping child and know the temperature they receive is as accurate as with any other method. Also, these thermometers do not rely on toxic mercury for gauging temperature. Mercury-filled glass bulb thermometers have already been banned in many municipalities around the country.

Temperature Guidelines for Dr. Mom

It’s important to note that different types of thermometers (arterial, oral, axillary or under-the-arm and rectal) will give varied temperature readings. Even if the same type of thermometer used consecutively, slightly varied recordings will be noted. This is no cause for alarm. Arterial temperature measurement, such as the one recorded by temporal artery thermometers, leads all other methods in identifying fever and is unaffected by patient activity. Accordingly, it will be sometimes different — but correct.

Normal Body Temperature (BT): Normal BT is not a single temperature, but a range of temperatures influenced by age, time of day and the measurement site.
General Rule of Thumb: On a stable, resting patient, rectal temperature is approximately 2 º F (1 º C) higher than axillary and 1 º F (0.5 º C) higher than oral temperature. On a stable, resting patient, arterial temperature is approximately the same as rectal temperature.

The following presents the mean normal temperature at the common temperature measurement sites under normal resting conditions:

Thermometer Type    Mean Normal Temperature (F )   Mean Normal Temperature (C)

Arterial                                       97.4 - 100.1 F                                   36.3 - 37.8 C
Axillary                                       95.5 - 98.8 F                                     35.3 - 37.1 C
Oral                                              96.6 - 99.5 F                                     35.9 - 37.5 C
Rectal                                          97.7 - 100.3 F                                  36.5 - 37.9 C

The affordable Exergen TemporalScanner is available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Costco, Babies R Us, Toys R Us and Sam’s Clubs around the country for under $50. Visit www.exergen.com to learn more. TF083539

(MS) — When it comes to sleep, most people would say they simply don’t get enough. For some, work and family responsibilities are simply too demanding and time-consuming for them to get their eight hours of rest each night. For others, the problem could be more complicated.

Insomnia is something nearly everyone has experienced at one time or another. While the stress that stems from work and family can cause insomnia, those are not the lone reasons nearly 1 in 3 adults encounters sleep problems each year.

What Is Insomnia?
While most people are aware that insomnia is an inability to sleep, few realize that sleep is actually part of a larger process known as the circadian rhythm. Humans, like the planet, operate on a daily cycle that repeats itself every 24 hours. During those 24 hours, it’s common for adults to sleep between 6 and 8 hours. While a night or two here and there of poor or interrupted sleep won’t be very harmful, when those poor or even sleepless nights occur over an extended period of time, this is known as insomnia.

Are There Different Types of Insomnia?

Not all forms of insomnia are the same, hence the reason it is one of the most commonly reported health problems. Those who are experiencing insomnia could have any of the following types, which are distinguished from one another both by their severity and duration.

• Short-term insomnia: This is typically caused by a stressful life event, one that preoccupies the mind so much that even falling asleep becomes difficult. In general, short-term insomnia will last less than a month, and often disappears around the time the source of heightened stress disappears.

• Transient insomnia: Whenever a normal sleeping pattern is disturbed and a person cannot sleep, that person is said to have transient insomnia. The disturbance in sleep is often the result of travel or relocating, and does not last longer than a few nights. Nearly everyone, when relocating, experiences at least mild transient insomnia, as it often takes a night or two to adapt to a new sleeping situation.

• Chronic insomnia: Chronic insomnia is the most serious form, with the potential for very negative consequences. Sleep helps a body develop cells that are important for a person’s immune system. While a temporary loss of sleep won’t have a significant impact on the production of these cells, an extended loss of sleep, such as that experienced by those with chronic insomnia, can. This leaves people more susceptible to disease, as the decreased production of cells leaves their bodies less resistant.

What Causes Insomnia?

Insomnia can result from a number of things. As previously mentioned, stress can result in a loss of sleep. If the stress is temporary, short-term insomnia can result. However, a lifestyle that is highly stressful can contribute to chronic insomnia.
When many people initially experience insomnia, they begin to examine certain behaviors. Among those are their consumption of caffeine and their own sleeping habits. An overconsumption of caffeine, particularly in the hours leading up to when a person goes to bed, can result in insomnia. In addition, poor sleeping habits, such as napping during the day, can make a person less tired when it comes time to go to bed, making it more difficult to fall asleep.

Caffeine consumption and abnormal sleeping patterns are not the only lifestyle choices that can negatively impact a person’s ability to fall asleep. People who live sedentary lifestyles often experience some form of insomnia. In addition, overconsumption of alcohol can impact a person’s ability to fall asleep. When a person consumes too much alcohol, falling asleep without that alcohol in their system can be difficult. This can be a dangerous and slippery slope, as a person could conclude they need alcohol, or even prescription medications, to fall asleep.

Another factor that could affect a person’s ability to fall asleep is a work schedule. Irregular schedules will almost always lead to some form of insomnia. If a person isn’t careful, a constantly changing work schedule, where a shift might regularly switch back and forth between nights and days, could very well lead to chronic insomnia. Such a schedule is almost impossible to adapt to, and the negative effects will surface via a lack of sleep. TF083541

(MS) — Caffeine can begin to affect the body as soon as 15 minutes after it is consumed. As rapidly as this occurs, caffeine does not leave the body soon after consumption. In fact, it takes roughly six hours to eliminate caffeine, and even after those six hours a substantial amount of caffeine still remains in the bloodstream. Its rapid entry into the bloodstream is a large part of the reason many people need that morning cup of coffee; a known side effects of caffeine consumption is increased alertness. Perhaps that’s one reason caffeine is assumed to be the most popular drug in the world. According to a report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI), four out of five Americans have some caffeine on a daily basis. The average intake is 200 milligrams per day, or the equivalent to what you would find in two 8-ounce cups of coffee. TF083546

Combat Computer-Induced Eye Strain

(MS) — In a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, high school kids were found to have drastically increased the amount of time they spent using a computer each week. High school boys spent over 15 hours a week using a computer in 2004, up from nearly 10.5 hours a week in 1999. High school girls over the same period of time saw their usage increase from 8.8 hours per week to just over 11.

While this may or may not lend credence to the notion that Americans are becoming more sedentary, another problem could also be resulting from so much time being spent in front of a computer. Too much time spent staring at a computer screen could potentially be very damaging to a person’s vision, regardless of the person’s age. To combat eye strain that might result from hours looking at a monitor, consider the following tips.

• Keep your distance. Whether you use a desktop or laptop computer, maintain a distance of at least 20 inches between you and the monitor.

• The need for speed. A slower computer will force you to spend more time staring at the screen. A faster computer will save you time and do less damage on your vision.
• Keep the screen clean. A dirty computer screen can be akin to a dirty windshield on a car. With a dirty windshield, drivers are constantly straining to see the road in front of them. A dirty computer screen forces users to strain to see what they’re trying to read. Keep your screen clean by giving it a daily dusting and cleaning any smudges or finger marks.

• Catch up with the times. Older monitors don’t boast the resolution of LCD monitors that have lower emissions and provide greater focus across the entire monitor. Most new computers are available with LCD monitors that, when compared to the damage they might cause on your vision, are well worth the extra money.

• Sit up straight. Mom and Dad were right about the importance of maintaining good posture. Slouching or leaning forwards or backwards while sitting at a computer puts your eyes at a disadvantage, forcing them to strain to see the screen, even if you can’t feel that strain. Sit up straight when using the computer and, if you use a laptop, don’t keep the computer at an odd angle that makes it more difficult to see the screen.

• Adjust brightness and contrast. Try to keep brightness and contrast levels as even as possible. Having a high brightness level and a low contrast level can prove harmful to your vision. Many computers have these levels set at the appropriate levels when you buy them, so you might not need to adjust anything on a new computer.

• Keep things light. Reading a computer screen in a dark room makes it more difficult for your eyes to focus on what you’re reading. Keep any room in which you’re using a computer well-lit and don’t rely solely on the light coming from your computer, regardless of how bright it might seem. TF083548

(MS) — Heart disease is a top health concern for a growing number of Americans, and a leading cause of death for men and women. Thankfully, there are steps we can all take to help keep our hearts healthy, including improving our diets by choosing fish — and specifically salmon — more often.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Pyramid recommends selecting fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, more often. Farm-raised Atlantic salmon is an excellent choice because it is a lean source of protein, naturally low in saturated fat and contains two grams of omega-3 essential fatty acids per 100 gram serving.

Cold water fish, such as farmed and wild salmon, are the best sources of omega-3s, a type of polyunsaturated fat that have been found to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol levels. The U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture database reveals that farmed Atlantic salmon has up to 35 percent more polyunsaturated fat like omega-3s than wild salmon.

The American Heart Association also recommends eating at least two servings of fish each week, citing research that establishes a link between eating fish and a lowered risk of death from coronary heart disease.

Farmed Atlantic salmon offers an abundant amount of a specific type of omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. Most recently, a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirmed that DHA had a direct role in lowering levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in high-triglyceride males.
Making smart food choices is a step in the right direction for reducing the risks of heart disease. Great-tasting and easy to prepare, farm-raised Atlantic salmon from Canada's east coast packs a heart healthy punch that is tough to beat. TF082500

(MS) — It’s a sentiment that’s often echoed once the winter weather hits and the clocks have been turned back for daylight savings time: with shorter days and less sunlight, life is not nearly as enjoyable. While this might be just a way of venting about the winter cold for some, for others it could be a sign of something else.

Though most people lament the loss of sun once winter arrives, for others this time represents a significant change in mood. That could be the result of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that’s tied to a particular season such as winter, when the days are shorter and the amount of daylight is drastically reduced. Because of the already heightened stress of winter thanks to the holiday season, it’s important to know the signs and potential causes of SAD to ensure you or a loved one gets the help needed.

Who Gets SAD?
While anyone can get SAD, it has proven more common in certain groups of people than others. Those who have proven especially susceptible to SAD include: women, people who have a close relative who has SAD, and those who live in areas where winter days are especially short, or in regions where daylight is reduced significantly in winter compared to other seasons.

What Are the Symptoms of SAD?
It can be common to mistake the symptoms of SAD with simply feeling bad around the holidays because of the loss of a loved one. However, while SAD can certainly take hold around the holidays, unlike feelings of sadness rooted in the holiday season, SAD does not go away after the holiday season has passed. Instead, SAD can last through the duration of the winter season, which, in some regions, can be well into mid-April.

In fact, many people with SAD begin experiencing symptoms in fall (September or October) and those symptoms don’t dissipate until April or May, when the weather typically changes dramatically. Symptoms to keep an eye out for include but are not limited to:
• Weight gain
• Excessive time spent sleeping or increased feelings of drowsiness
• Loss of interest in usual activities and separation from friends or family
• Moodiness characterized by feelings of sadness and grumpiness and increased feelings of anxiety
• Dietary differences, such as craving carbohydrates like bread and pasta

How Do You Know the Difference Between SAD and Depression?
Depression and SAD can be very difficult to differentiate. The best way to tell the difference is to go to a doctor and be honest and ready to answer questions as to whether or not these feelings are now a pattern or if they just began. In general, the older a person gets, the less likely they are to get SAD for the first time. However, there is not cutoff age for SAD and anyone can get it.

Before going to the doctor, ask yourself if these feelings have become an annual thing that settles in at the onset of a particular season. A doctor will certainly ask these questions, but it’s good to think about it beforehand as well to get the most accurate diagnosis. If the feelings do seem to arise around the same time every year, and the aforementioned symptoms occur as well, you could have SAD instead of depression.

How Is SAD Treated?
While there is no one cure for SAD, light therapy has proven an effective and rather quick means of treatment for many people suffering from the condition. This therapy has two different approaches.

• Dawn simulation: In dawn simulation therapy, a dim light goes on while a person is sleeping, and that light gradually gets brighter over time. Meant to simulate a sunrise, dawn simulation requires continued use throughout the season, even after the person starts to feel better.

• Bright light: Bright light treatment is a more direct approach to including more light in a person’s daily routine, simply requiring them to sit in front of a bright light (referred to as a “light box”) for no less than 30 minutes per day (typically in the morning).

While these treatments might be met with skepticism at first, since SAD is often linked to a lack of light, it’s no surprise both treatments have proven effective.

Other treatments can include medication (antidepressants) and even counseling. In addition, some therapists suggest simply getting outside for a period of time when it’s light out each day. Obviously, this can be difficult for adults with full-time jobs, but consider taking a walk during a lunch hour.

To learn more about SAD, visit the Season Affective Disorder Association Web site at www.sada.org. TF082440

(MS) — Though stroke is widely seen as something that only afflicts adults, children are not immune to stroke. In general, children in the perinatal stage (the weeks immediately before and after birth) are at the greatest risk. In a report from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the rate of stroke for infants less than 30 days old (per 100,000 live births per year) was 26.4. That number shrinks considerably (to 2.7) in children between the ages of 1 and 14. Certain risk factors for childhood stroke include history of infertility, preeclampsia (a condition in the pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure), decreased fetal movement, and a prolonged second stage of labor. While these numbers might be shocking, a 2002 report in the medical journal Neurology noted that the childhood mortality from stroke declined sharply (58 percent) between 1979 and 1998. TF082418

(MS) — According to the American Heart Association (AHA), nearly five million Americans are living with heart failure, and more than half a million new cases are reported each year.

While that’s certainly a large number, it may also be comforting to people with a family history of heart disease or those recently diagnosed with heart failure to know that they’re not alone and that there’s no reason they cannot enjoy a full life. Of course, knowing about heart failure and its symptoms and risk factors can only help make the battle that much easier.

What Is Heart Failure?

Contrary to what its name might imply, heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. Instead, heart failure occurs when the heart stops pumping the amount of blood necessary for the body to function properly. As this happens, the body then tries to make up for it in a handful of ways, such as the heart beginning to beat faster and the heart actually expanding. As the heart chamber expands, it stretches more and contracts more strongly, enabling it to pump more blood.

Another thing the body does is hold onto salt and water, which increases the amount of blood in your bloodstream. This leads to congestion, hence the moniker “congestive heart failure” used by some in the medical profession.

How Does Heart Failure Manifest Itself?

Because the body does things to make up for the heart not pumping blood as well as it should, heart failure is often difficult to recognize. Oftentimes, the aforementioned steps the body takesare so effective that it’s common to not even know the heart is suffering from a disease.

However, as the AHA notes, heart failure is typically a chronic disease, meaning it’s a long-term condition that will continue to get worse. As hard as the body works to make up for the heart not pumping blood at full capacity, eventually the body will begin to lose ground and certain symptoms will arise. Some of the early symptoms include feeling tired easily, being short of breath upon physical exertion, feelings of weakness and dizziness, and heart palpitations, where the heart feels as if it’s racing or pounding.

Eventually, the fluid buildup that occurs becomes too much for the body as well, and several symptoms can manifest themselves as a result.
• Swelling in the lower half of the body, such as the legs, ankles or feet
• Coughing or wheezing, particularly when lying down
• Increased need to urinate at night
• Shortness of breath, even when resting

What Causes Heart Failure?

Many health conditions arise as a result of lifestyle choices such as poor diet or negative behaviors such as smoking or excessive drinking. Others are the result of genetics, such as being born with a defect. Heart failure can result from both personal behaviors and genetics.

Controllable factors that are associated with heart failure include smoking, poor diet (particularly eating foods that are high in cholesterol), lack of exercise, and being overweight. In other words, any of those conditions only increase a person’s risk of heart failure. They can also manifest themselves in several different ways.

• Coronary Artery Disease: this happens when cholesterol and fatty deposits build up in the heart’s arteries, lessening the amount of blood that reaches the heart, forcing the heart to work harder as a result. A high-cholesterol diet is a big risk factor for coronary artery disease.

• Hypertension: also known as high blood pressure, hypertension increases a person’s risk of developing heart failure by two to three times according to the AHA.

Hypertension can occur from too much stress, be it work- or family-related. A great way to relieve stress is through regular physical exercise. People who do not exercise regularly increase their risk of hypertension, and in doing so, their risk of heart failure as well.

• Lung disease: when the lungs are not functioning properly, it causes the heart to work that much more to get oxygen to the rest of the body. Smoking increases the risk of lung disease, which then increases the risk of heart failure.

To learn more about heart failure, visit the American Heart Association Web site at www.americanheart.org. TF082423

(MS) — Quitting smoking is no different than kicking an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Some even suggest it might be harder to avoid a relapse with cigarette smoking than it is with illicit drug use, as the availability of cigarettes (because they’re not illegal) trumps that of illicit drugs.

Perhaps the most telling testament to the difficulty of quitting is the number of people who routinely say “I’ve tried to quit smoking more than once.” In fact, those people are very common, says Michael Fiore, M.D., M.P.H., who has acted as director of the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention at the University of Wisconsin since 1992. According to Fiore, the average person who has successfully quit smoking has only done so after five or six failed attempts.

What this underscores is that many smokers are fully aware they need to quit, it’s just that the difficulty of quitting can be overwhelming. However, it’s not impossible, as the more than 40 million ex-smokers in America alone can attest.

A big problem for many smokers trying to quit is handling the craving for nicotine. Nicotine increases the levels of chemicals in the brain that regulate mood, attention and memory, making it far more difficult to avoid a craving than many people might think. Smokefree.gov, an online resource designed to help those trying to quit, offers the following tips when trying to quit.
• Replace cigarettes. Many people chew gum in lieu of smoking cigarettes. To make that beneficial, make sure the gum is sugarfree to avoid damaging teeth. Some people simply reach for food when a nicotine craving hits. If you take this road, make sure the food you choose is healthy, such as fruits and vegetables (i.e., carrots, celery, apples).

• Learn to relax. Because nicotine affects chemicals in the brain and, in turn, mood, quitting can make a person cranky and restless. In fact, nicotine withdrawal and dependence have been recognized as disorders by the American Psychiatric Association for 20 years. Oftentimes, the restlessness that results from withdrawal will drive someone to smoke again because they cannot relax when a craving hits. Smokefree.gov recommends a person take 10 slow, deep breaths and hold the last one. Then breathe out slowly and relax all muscles. Imagine a soothing scene and allow your mind to escape as you concentrate on that scene.

• Leave the room. Merely changing surroundings when a craving hits works for some people. Head outdoors for some fresh air, walk down the hall to a different room or change what you’re doing when cravings hit.

• Don’t fall into the trap of “Just one won’t hurt.” “Just one” often turns into more than that, as anyone who has tried and failed at quitting before can attest. The problem with the “just one” approach is that it negates all the work a person has done up to that point.

To learn more about quitting smoking, visit www.Smokefree.gov. TF082429

(MS) — Have you made a resolution to drop a few pounds only to find that no matter what diet you follow, you don't see much of a change when you get on the scale? You may be able to blame intestinal bacteria, say researchers.

There are trillions of bacteria living on the skin, in the nose, mouth, stomach, and intestines of the human body. Most of these bacteria are microscopic helpers, doing the cleaning and breakdown tasks necessary for healthy living. They digest food particles that people simply cannot digest on their own.

In recent years, emphasis into the study of intestinal bacteria has increased. Up until now, the depths of the digestive tract have gone largely unexplored. Scientists are now discovering connections between bacteria and the way food is used and produced for the body. An offshoot of this research is probiotics.

Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria to help with digestion. Probiotic supplementation is popping up in yogurt and other food sources. These helpful bacteria are purported to fend off stomach discomfort and diarrhea.

Too much of a good thing ...
In regard to obesity, researchers have discovered that some of the bacteria residing in the gastrointestinal system are just too good at their jobs; call them the overachievers of the intestines. Research has indicated that bacteria in the guts of obese mice are better at extracting energy from food than the gut bacteria in lean mice. Basically, the obese mice take away more energy (calories) from their food than the lean mice. What's more, when the lean mice were injected with the bacteria from fat mice, they gained weight, too.

When human subjects were introduced, most of the same conclusions were found. Bacteria called Firmicutes seem to be the bacteria responsible for high energy consumption, while Bacteroidetes are the bacteria that use the energy and burn off excess calories. More Frimicutes were found in obese individuals. The theory is the Firmicutes are like a fuel-efficient car, taking more energy from the fuel (food) and passing it on to the vehicle (body). While the Bacteroidetes are gas guzzlers, quickly depleting the fuel stores.

More Firmicutes are present in obese mice and humans. And in studies, regardless of what the obese test subjects ate — whether low-fat food or high-caloric junk — Firmicutes simply extracted a higher level of calories. This means depending upon the bacteria present in the gut, a person may extract different amounts of calories from foods. So if a person with more Firmicutes and one with less ate the same food containing 100 calories in a serving, the Firmicutes-rich gut may absorb more calories than the Bacteroidetes-rich gut. A difference of even 10 to 20 calories a day could add up to significant weight differences.

Not a free for all
This research doesn't indicate that a person should go to extremes with consuming high-fat foods and blame weight gain simply on microbiotics. These bacteria are just one factor into the reasons why some people seems to process food differently than others. A balanced diet and exercise are still the best means to keeping a healthy weight. TF082446