There’s No Such Thing As Healthy Obesity, Says Study

http://time.com/82848/theres-no-such-thing-as-healthy-obesity-says-study/
Alexandra Sifferlin @acsifferlin


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New research pokes holes in the idea that there's such thing 

as healthy obesity

There’s a persistent and controversial question dividing researchers: Can you can be very overweight and also very healthy? The research suggesting people can be healthy at any size was intriguing, and we covered it. But the tide (and the research that supports it) is turning, with many researchers saying it’s simply not possible to be fit and obese.

Today, a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that looked at 14,828 metabolically healthy Korean adults with no known heart disease found obese people had a higher prevalence of early plaque buildup in the arteries compared to normal weight people. The researchers defined obesity in the study as a BMI over 25; in the U.S. obesity is defined as a BMI over 35. The researchers conclude that even though these people may not have heart-related disease yet, their weight is still taking its toll on their health.

“Obese individuals who are considered ‘healthy’ because they don’t currently have heart disease risk factors, should not be assumed healthy by their doctors,” said study author Dr. Yoosoo Chang, MD, a professor at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Total Healthcare Center Center for Cohort Studies in Seoul, Korea in a statement.

In a corresponding editorial, Dr. Rishi Puri, who runs Cleveland Clinic’s Atherosclerosis Imaging Core Lab, highlights the work of both Chang and Kramer, saying their research has shown that obesity is indeed a real disease. He also questions the necessity of determining whether some obese people can be classified as “metabolically healthy.” “Given our current lack of a ‘cure’ or efficient means of successfully treating obesity over the longer term, might the resources spent on trying to define and justify the existence of a ‘metabolically healthy’ obese population be more wisely allocated to elucidating ways to prevent or treat obesity?” he writes.

The idea that there is “metabolically healthy obesity” has been out there for some time, with one of the more recent studies suggesting that some overweight or obese individuals can be as healthy as their normal-weight peers because they had normal blood pressure, no diabetes and pretty stable cholesterol. One study even found that overweight individuals tended to live longer than normal weight people.

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, however, reviewed studies dating back to the 1950s, and concluded that people cannot be both overweight and healthy. They found that people who had a high body mass index (BMI) but whose cholesterol or blood pressure were normal for example, were still at a higher risk of dying fromheart disease. “This concept of healthy obesity came in the last 10 years,” Dr. Caroline Kramer told TIME when the Sinai research came out. “Some studies report that if you are obese but metabolically healthy, you are protected in a way. We don’t think that that is true. And I don’t think it will come as much of a surprise.”

Part of the discrepancy in the findings could be study design. Some large studies just looked at participants’ weight and whether any adverse events occured, but didn’t look at symptoms for poor metabolic health like blood pressure, or early signs of health problems like plaque build up. Others compared healthy obese people to unhealthy obese people and did not have a proper comparison to normal weight people, Kramer told TIME. Researchers are continuing to try and understand how weight and diseases impact people differently, whether it’s due to genetics or environmental factors.

One thing that all sides agree upon is that when it comes to health, there is significant value in focusing on other factors besides the number on the scale. As TIME reported in March, it’s also possible to be thin and unhealthy, and people can be at risk for the same metabolic problems at any size if they do not take care of themselves. “[These findings] don’t surprise me. I don’t think it changes the fact that our focus should be on health rather than weight,” says Dr. David Katz, founding director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center.”The things we recommend for people to be fit are the very things we are recommending for people to not be fat.”

Katz does agree that we should be paying attention to excess body fat, because depending on the type and where, it can cause disease. He encourages his patients to eat well and exercise and stave off unnecessary and potentially harmful body weight, but recognizes that a little pudge around the edges is likely fine.

“The amount of effort that has to go into losing that last 10 pounds can make life not fun. In that situation, I tell my patients that the whole point of being healthy is to have a good life,” says Katz. “If you are working so hard to lose these ten pounds and it’s going to ruin your quality of life, it’s not worth it.”

Not Vaccinating Children Is Deadly. This Infographic Proves It

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/vaccines-for-children-unicef-infographic_n_5192839.html
by  Robbie Couch

Vaccines save lives.

April 24-30 marks the World Health Organization's World Immunization Week, which focuses on global efforts to protect children from deadly but preventable diseases, such as measles.

As the infographic below created by UNICEF points out, if all children globally were immunized today, about 25 million lives would be saved by 2020. Vaccines also cost little, and would save billions of dollars in treatment expenses for preventable diseases down the road.

Hepatitis B

Your newborn should get this shot even before leaving the hospital, and receive another dose at one to two months and a third at six to 18 months. The vaccine protects against an incurable, liver-infecting virus, hepatitis B, which can be passed to a baby during childbirth if the mother is infected.

This virus spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids (sharing toothbrushes and utensils can put you at risk).

Soreness at the site of the shot, or a slight fever, is the most common side effect, according to Gabrielle Gold-von Simson, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York.

DTaP

The DTaP vaccine protects against diphtheria (a germ that can form a gray or black film in the throat), tetanus (an infection that can cause muscle spasms so strong they can break bones), and pertussis (a highly contagious disease that causes a severe, uncontrollable cough, known as whooping cough).

Five vaccine doses are given to children at two months, four months, six months, 15 to 18 months and four to six years. (And boosters at age 11 or 12 and then every 10 years.)

DTaP may be combined with other vaccinations to reduce the number of shots needed. "Now, it's DTaP with hepatitis B and the polio vaccine. 

MMR

This combo shot protects against three viruses: measles (which causes high fever and a body-wide rash); mumps (which causes face pain, swelling of the salivary glands, and sometimes scrotal swelling in boys); and rubella or German measles (which can cause birth defects if the infection occurs during pregnancy).

The first shot is given at 12 to 15 months of age and once again between the ages of four and 

six.

MMR is sometimes combined with the chickenpox vaccine into one shot (brand name ProQuad). "All these different preparations are designed to reduce the amount of shots the pediatrician has to give," says Dr. Gold-von Simson.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox, a highly contagious rash that many people remember from childhood, is caused by the varicella virus. A varicella vaccine was first licensed in 1995 and now spares future generations this itchy misery.

Chickenpox infections can be especially dangerous in adults who don't have immunity from the vaccine or haven't had it in childhood, and can also lead to shingles, an extremely 

painful blistering rash.

The shot is given to children at 12 to 15 months and again between four and six years. The vaccine can cause soreness at the site of the shot, fever, and, in some cases, a mild rash.

Haemophilus Influenza Type B (Hib)

"Haemophilus influenza type b is the bacterium that causes meningitis," says Dr. Gold-von Simson. Meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, is particularly dangerous for kids under the age of five.

Hib vaccines are generally given at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age. Depending on the vaccine used, the six-month shot may not be needed. 

Fever, swelling, and redness at the site of the shot are potential side effects.

Polio (IPV)

Polio vaccine is "such a success," says Dr. Gold-von Simson. "Because of the vaccine, there are no more cases (of polio)." 

The virus hasn't been eradicated worldwide, so kids still get the IPV, or inactivated polio vaccine, which is a shot containing killed virus.

Polio is bad news, and can cause paralysis and 

even death. Children are given the IPV at two months, four months, between six to 18 months, and then again between the ages of four and six years.

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV)

This vaccine, known as PCV13 (brand name Prevnar), protects against 13 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which are bacteria that can cause all sorts of mayhem, including meningitis, pneumonia, ear infections, blood infections, and even death.

A total of four shots are given to kids (at two, four, six, and 12 to 15 months of age) to protect them against the germs, known collectively as 

pneumococcal bacteria.

The most common side effects of the vaccine include drowsiness, swelling at the site of the shot, mild fever, and irritability.

Influenza (flu)

Flu vaccinations are given each year starting in the fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends them for kids ages six months or older, although they aren't required for school attendance. (Connecticut and New Jersey require the vaccine for attending child-care centers and preschool.)

Common side effects from the vaccine include soreness, redness, or swelling at the site of the 

shot. Fever and aches may occur too.

"If you have an egg allergy, you shouldn't have the influenza vaccine," says Dr. Gold-von Simson.

Rotavirus (RV)

The rotavirus vaccine (RV) (brand names RotaTeq, Rotarix) is given to children at two and four months of age. (RotaTeq is also given at six months.) The vaccine protects against a virus that is the most common cause of severe diarrhea and vomiting in young kids worldwide. About 55,000 children in the U.S. were hospitalized each year due to rotavirus before the vaccine was licensed in 2006. 

It is not required for school attendance.

The vaccine is in liquid form and given by mouth to babies. It may make them a bit more irritable and can also cause mild diarrhea or vomiting.

Hepatitis A

Kids can catch hepatitis A from sharing food or drinks or by putting contaminated food or objects in their mouths. It's a viral infection that affects the liver, and can cause a number of symptoms, including fever, tiredness, jaundice, and loss of appetite.

Children ages 12 through 23 months generally get two doses of the Hep A vaccine, with a minimum interval of six months between shots. 

Some states require the vaccine for school attendance.

Soreness where the shot was given, headache, and loss of appetite are the most common side effects of the vaccine.

Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)

This vaccine, known as MCV4 (brand name Menactra), protects against meningococcal bacteria, which can infect the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. MCV4 is recommended for kids at 11 or 12 years of age, and anyone between ages two and 55 who is at increased risk of infection (people with certain health conditions, military recruits). 

Teens starting college should be vaccinated  with MCV4 before going to school if they didn't previously get the shot. (Freshman living in dorms are at increased risk of infection.) 

A little pain at the site of the shot is the most common side effect.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (brand names Gardasil, Cervarix) is given in three doses over a six-month period, and is approved for girls between ages nine and 26.

While there are over a hundred types of HPV, this vaccine protects against two sexually transmitted types that are the most common causes of cervical cancer. Gardasil also protects against two types that cause genital 

warts and is approved for boys between nine and 26 as well.

The vaccine works only if given before an infection, so doctors recommend it for kids well before they could become sexually active. Although most states don't require HPV vaccination, many are considering mandating it for preteen girls.

Eight bad habits that can damage your kidneys

http://kidneysymptom.blogspot.com/2012/06/eight-bad-habits-that-can-damage-your.html

In our daily life, some bad habits can damage your kidneys. In case some symptoms such as proteinuria, elevated serum creatinine and swelling occur, kidney damage is already irreversible. With this in mind, we will introduce several major unhealthy habits that may increase the risk of kidney problems, and the goal is to help you better protect the kidneys.

1. Inadequate drinking water

Main functions of the kidneys are to regulate erythrocyte balances and eliminate metabolic wastes in urine. If we do not drink enough water, the blood will be concentrated and renal blood flow is not as strong, helping to eliminate toxins in the blood.

2. Drinking too much beer

For those who have had kidney disease, drinking beer without limitation may cause the deposition of uric acid in renal tubules, causing tubular obstruction and increasing risks of kidney failure.

3. Improer vegetable and fruit consumption

It is commonly accepted that eating lots of fruits and vegetables is good for health. But for those with kidney failure,

4. Eat beverage instead of water

These soft drinks such as soft drinks and cola, coffee or caffeine often rich, a substance that can increase blood pressure and increase the chances of kidney disease.

5. Overeating

It is suggested that protein intake should be 0.8g/kg.d. This means that a person with 50 kg should consume 40g of protein per day. Meat consumption per day should be limited within 300g. Eating too much meat and protein can increase the metabolic load of the kidney. For one suffering from proteinuria, meat consumption too may aggravate protein leakage, worsening renal pathological lesion.

6. Painkiller abuse

Research indicates that using painkillers mixed in a long term may reduce the flow of human blood and greatly affect kidney function. In addition, patients with renal failure induced by pain medication are more likely to suffer from bladder cancer.

Reminder: analgesics may be used occasionally. Those who have used pain relievers through a long-term need to make detailed tests as soon as possible.

7. Heavy sodium in the diet

95% sodium we consume through food is metabolized by the kidneys. Exceeding the salt intake will kidneys work harder and can lead to decreased renal function. Scientific daily salt intake should be controlled within 6g per day.

8. Heavy pressure of life

In society, hypertension as a severe threat to life is largely due to the heavy pressure of life. A common symptom of heavy pressure of life is insomnia. Blood pressure may increase to an average 2-5mg/Hg because of insomnia. Chronic blood pressure can cause damage to kidney capillaries giving rise to kidney problems. Thus, we need to develop a habit of life and good balance between work and the rest to protect the kidneys well and live a healthy life.

The above is of poor lifestyle habits that make you more at risk of kidney disease. For patients with renal impairment, the daily care must be taken very cautiously. If you want personalized assistance, we will gladly help you find the best solution.
http://www.askkidney.com/kidney-disease/122.html

http://positivemed.com/2013/12/01/8-common-habits-may-damage-kidneys/

6 Secrets for a Faster Metabolism

http://time.com/52245/6-secrets-for-a-faster-metabolism/
Health.com / Courtney Rubin

If Metabolism 101 were a class, you’d be the teacher’s pet: You never skip breakfast—you know a little food in the a.m. kick-starts the day’s calorie burn. And you don’t crash diet, either, because that leads your body to hang on to Every. Last. Calorie. Ready for the advanced course? We found out what real people with high metabolism do right. Adopt their ways to shrink your waist and get in peak shape.

Eat the correct number of calories

Science time! Metabolism is the chemical process in the body that converts the food you eat into fuel. The result: You get the energy that keeps you going each day. Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the number of calories per day your body naturally burns at rest, says Louis Aronne, MD, an obesity specialist at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. Knowing your number is key because it means you’ll be aware of exactly how many calories to consume to maintain your weight (or lose or gain, if need be).

Calculate your calorie burn

Of course, you don’t just sit around all day—even a couch potato has to lift the remote once in a while. So in order to get a more accurate figure, factor in how active you are by using this calculator. Your result is the number of calories per day you need to maintain your current weight. Want to lose? Shave 500 extra calories a day by eating less, working out more or, ideally, doing a combo. You’ll drop 1 to 2 pounds per week.

Make workouts a regular thing

“Doing cardio exercise three to five times a week is associated with a higher metabolic rate at rest,” says Wayne Westcott, PhD, professor of exercise science at Quincy College, in Quincy, Mass. That means that even when out of the gym, your body is burning above and beyond what it would have had you never hauled butt over there. And there’s new research to show how you can boost your rate while you’re exercising, too. You’ve probably heard of Tabata, a workout in which, for four minutes, you alternate 20 seconds of all-out effort with 10 seconds of rest. When Michele Olson, PhD, professor of exercise physiology at Auburn University, in Auburn, Ala., had subjects try it with squat jumps, they burned 13.5 calories per minute; most moderate-intensity cardio burns just 6 or 7 calories per minute. “You can do it with almost any exercise,” she says, like sprints, jumping jacks or—better yet—burpees.

Don’t blow off lifting

A pound of muscle burns more calories than a pound of fat. Up to nine times the amount, in fact. “Lifting weights is the top way to stave off age-related metabolic drop,” says Pamela Peeke, MD, assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Never yo-yo diet

Yet another reason not to let your weight seesaw: You’ll hamstring your metabolism. “My patients with the lowest metabolisms are the weight cyclers,” says Scott Isaacs, MD, clinical instructor of medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. “When you lose weight, you lose muscle and fat, but when you gain it back, it’s mostly fat, which burns fewer calories.”

Have a bedtime snack (gasp!)

Forget what you think you know about not eating after 8 p.m. Two recent Florida State University studies found that having 150 calories about 30 minutes before you go to sleep—that’s an extra 150 calories added to your day, not taken out of your daily allotment—boosted metabolism in the morning, compared with having none. For best results, your p.m. snack should be protein (we like low-fat milk or cottage cheese). The one caveat is that this applies only if you’re exercising regularly. But you are, aren’t you?

related articles:

Health.com: 20 Snacks That Burn Fat

Health.com: 25 Ways to Cut 500 Calories a Day

Health.com: 20 Ways to Torch 200 Calories

Health.com: The 10 Most Filling Foods for Weight Loss

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20743007,00.html

6 Amazing Anti-Aging Foods You Can Eat For Breakfast

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/31/anti-aging-foods_n_5021238.html
by  Shelley Emling

For as long as we can remember, we've heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But not only can it boost your energy and memory levels, it also can impact how long you live. Studies show that by eating certain foods, you can help slow the aging process. Here are just six amazing anti-aging treats you might want to go for first thing in the morning.

1. Blueberries

Although tiny, blueberries pack a huge anti-aging health punch. Rich in polyphenols, research suggests that a blueberry-rich diet not only improves your motor skills, but also can help fight diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Indeed one recent study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association showed that women who ate the most blueberries -- as well as their superfood cousin, strawberries -- enjoyed a 32 percent lower heart attack risk than women who only ate these berries once a month (or not at all).

2. Oatmeal
For years, research has shown a strong correlation between oatmeal and cholesterol reduction. Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber that gets rid of "bad" cholesterol. Oats also are packed with the antioxidants that do battle against cell damage. And that can help plump skin and reduce wrinkles.

3. Eggs
Eggs usually come under fire because of their high cholesterol content. But studies show that healthy men and women who consume an egg a day actually do not experience negative health repercussions. In addition, eggs contain all the essential B vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, choline, biotin, and folic acid. Choline has been shown to protect your memory, while two proteins in eggs -- lutein and zeaxanthin -- protect against vision loss.

4. Tea
Many teas are high in anti-aging antioxidants. But green tea is rich in an antioxidant known as EGCG, which helps fight wrinkles and rejuvenate skin cells. Green tea also may protect against cancer, control blood sugar levels, and help reduce inflammation associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

5. Pomegranate Juice
If tea's not your thing, try pomegranate juice instead. Studies show that a glass ofpomegranate juice a day could help keep wrinkles at bay. Not only has pomegranate been shown to slow down the natural oxidation ("wear and tear") of DNA, it also has been linked to the prevention of heart disease and stress relief.

6. Grapefruit
In addition to helping you feel full, which in turn may assist with weight loss,grapefruit also can help lower "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels while also boosting “good” HDL cholesterol. Deep red varieties are best as studies show they can also help keep heart disease at bay.

One caveat: Grapefruit can prove hazardous when combined with certain prescription medicines.

8 Underrated Vegetables With Extraordinary Health Benefits

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/01/best-vegetables-_n_5042989.html
by  Deborah Long

Your grandmother probably told you the same thing you tell your own grandchildren: Eat your vegetables; they’re good for you. And there are always certain veggies we focus on—leafy greens like spinach, broccoli, and the like. But scientific research shows that some veggies that we all write off (celery and mushrooms, anyone?) are actually nutritional all-stars, too. Read on to learn about the nutritional power—from helping reduce the risk of cancer to boosting your immune system—of these seemingly ordinary vegetables.

One word of caution: the chemical compounds in these natural gems are so potent they can interfere with some prescription drugs, so if you’re taking medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before you add them.

Celery



If you associate celery with diets, or think the stalks are nothing more than sturdy swizzle sticks for your Bloody Mary, think again. Evidence suggests there’s a world of health benefits in every crunch. Dieters count on celery because it’s low in calories—only 10 calories in a large stalk—but it also delivers phthalides, which are thought to act as a natural diuretic. Those same phtalides support the circulatory system, and can help to reduce high blood pressure.

But the best reason to add celery to the grocery list: it just might rev up your sex life. According to Alan Hirsch, M.D., Director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, celery contains pheromones, airborne sex chemicals, that are released when you chew on a stalk of the green stuff. It’s rumored that Casanova ate celery every day to keep his libido strong and if it worked for Casanova, we say pass the crudite.

Mushrooms



One of nature’s most powerful tools for fighting breast cancer may already be sitting in your refrigerator. Mushrooms—from humble, button mushrooms to more exotic shitakes—have been shown to improve the body’s immune system and reduce risk of colon, stomach, and prostate cancer. In one study, eating mushrooms cut the risk of Chinese women getting breast cancer by 64%.

Mushrooms also contain vitamin D and long-chain polysaccharides that can help boost your immune system to help you fight the common cold. To access all the nutritional goodness of mushrooms, be sure to cook them, rather than eat them raw.

Brussels Sprouts



The Brussels sprout may be small, but don’t be deceived. Whether or not you’re a fan, the Brussels sprout is a cancer-fighting Jedi. Brussels sprouts contain more anti-carcinogenic compounds called glucosinolates, than any other cruciferous vegetable. One of these compounds, called sinigrin, causes cancer cells to self-destruct. 

More good news? Using a Brussels sprout extract, researchers at the National Institute for Health showed that the glucosinolates also are able to stabilize DNA in white blood cells by blocking offending enzymes.

Carrots



You know that carrots are good for your eyesight. The beta-carotene that makes them orange is converted to vitamin A by your body and that can help protect you from macular degeneration, as well as glaucoma. Eating carrots can even help to improve night vision, which is important when driving after dark. 

What most of us don't know is that carrots are almost as good for our outsides as they are for our insides. According to research, carrots contain a powerful antiseptic compound that kills germs and can prevent infection and help wounds to heal more quickly. Shred them raw, cook them and mash them, or soak a cloth in carrot juice and apply it to the affected area. An NIH study found that peeled, shredded carrots inhibit food spoilage bacteria, which supports the theory that carrots have beneficial antiseptic powers.

Onions



If you slice an onion, and it makes you cry, rejoice! Those compounds that are bringing tears to your eyes are called thiosulfinates and they could keep you from having a stroke, according to some studies. Thiosulfinates act as a natural blood thinner and can keep blood platelets from clumping. In addition, the quercitin in onions has been shown to relax and dilate blood vessels, which also aids in stroke prevention.

Onions are high in vitamin C, provide calcium, iron, folic acid, and dietary fiber. And, because they can kill the H pylori bacteria, they may also help to prevent—but not treat—stomach ulcers.

Bell peppers



Crunchy, sweet, and delicious, bell peppers are also one of the most healthful foods you can eat. One red bell pepper will provide almost twice your daily allowance for vitamin C. Bell peppers also are an excellent source of vitamin B6, which is used by your body to help regulate metabolism and to enable the cells in your brain to communicate with one another.

Bell peppers also contain minerals, including potassium, zinc, and manganese. According to The Linus Pauling Institute, their high levels of manganese may help to prevent osteoporosis.

Garlic



Garlic has been credited with warding off everything from vampires to the plague. One whiff, and you know it’s powerful. It’s antibacterial and antiviral and fresh garlic may help to prevent some cases of food poisoning by killing E coli and salmonella bacteria. It’s been credited in studies with lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, protecting the heart, boosting the immune system, and regulating blood sugar levels. 

But what really pushed garlic onto our list is that according to research garlic may help protect against breast, colon and other cancers. And according to research done at the Mayo Clinic, garlic can kill the rogue cells that cause prostate cancer. Maybe that’s part of the reason the Mayo Clinic suggests that men with enlarged prostate—which includes 50% of men over the age of 60—use garlic to season their food.

Kale




What provides a daily dose of vitamin A, more vitamin C than an orange, and supports bone health with vitamin K and more calcium than an 8-ounce glass of milk? Kale. Yes, we all know kale is good for us, but here’s what you might not know about this nutritional powerhouse and why it made our list: It’s a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which means a diet that includes kale will give your brain a boost, helping to fight depression. Those same fatty acids, along with kale’s quercetin supply, will fight inflammation and can help to prevent or alleviate arthritis.

If all that good stuff isn’t enough to convince you, how about a longer life? Dr. Drew Ramsey, author of "50 Shades of Kale" says that the kaemferol in kale literally can turn on the genes that promote longer life.