I know Democrats and progressives are going nuts over President Trumps first few weeks in office I know the Middle East is a mess and that we have no small number of incredible challenges at home but I have my own worries. Like millions of other Americans, Im on my annual February diet.

You see, its not easy to be trim and fit in America. Our culture is saturated with an abundance of high-calorie, processed foods that turn into instant fat.We work long and hard in sedentary office jobs, then eat our stress away, two or three fast-food treats at a time. Weve become so fat, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, that our bathtubs have stretch marks.

We know our increasing tubbiness isnt healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity-associated diseases such as diabetes have soared in recent years. Gallbladder diseases, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and heart disease are all caused by carrying too much weight.

And so we are on a continuous mission to lose weight. Our challenge is that the fad diets that promise to get us there go in and out of fashion faster than the white patent leather shoes and belts my father used to wear to church.According to the website The Daily Meal, the Mediterranean Diet it features natural, plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts is in.

So, too, is the Paleo Diet, which apparently is similar to the Mediterranean Diet, except legumes are forbidden.

Which is a shame, too, because I just learned that legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupin beans, mesquite, carob, soybeans, peanuts and tamarind which go well with the bourbon I am driven to drink as I try to figure out which diet to go on.

Volumetrics is another in diet. It encourages the consumption of low-energy-density foods, which make you feel full with fewer calories than high-energy-density foods. It also sounds like too much math is involved.

The Gluten Diet is on the outs, though, according to The Daily Meal. Apparently, it puts people at risk for different deficiencies such as B vitamin deficiencies, calcium, fiber, vitamin D and iron.

The Daily Meal no longer favors the Atkins Diet, either, which makes me sore. Dr. Atkins said we could eat delicious steaks, pork, chicken and fish. He said we could eat as much eggs and cheese and other tasty no-sugar treats as we could stuff into our bellies. His diet was all the rage for years.

But now The Daily Meal says his diet is a no go? That it is not heart-healthy and that most users are not compliant over the long term?

Not so fast! Several prominent studies have concluded that old Doc Atkins was onto something. Low-carbohydrate diets may actually take off more weight than low-fat diets and may be surprisingly better for cholesterol, too.

One of my greatest dieting disappointments of the last 20 years, though, was the failure of the exercise pill, which had shown promise at Duke University around 2002.

Researchers had located the chemical pathways that muscle cells use to build strength and endurance. With that knowledge in hand, there was hope that a pill could be created that would pump up muscle cells without the need for actual exercise.

Dieting Americans could have sat on the couch, chomping potato chips and dip, while their biceps got as round as cantaloupes and their abs got as hard as stone but this uniquely American dieting innovation wasnt to be.

I think Ill try a new, restrictive diet this February: the Democrats in Congress Diet.

Ill deny myself everything.

Tom Purcell: can be reached at Tom@TomPurcell.com.

Read the original post:
Still searching for a diet panacea - The Star Beacon

Dana Fedoruk decided it was time to get serious about weight loss when she grew weary of watching her weight fluctuate as she tried various diets, and of tiring easily while playing with her 7-year-old son, Ethan.

Fedoruk, 47, decided to undergo bariatric surgery. She completed pre-surgery testing and counseling about six miles from home, at the Indiana Regional Medical Center.

Bariatric surgery is performed at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, but IRMC coordinates pre-surgical appointments and testing to be completed in Indiana, which allows patients to stay close to home. IRMC staff work side by side with the staff of the Weight Management Center at Conemaugh to ensure sure all requirements and documentation are finalized.

Dana Fedoruk dropped from 279 pounds to 143 pounds after undergoing bariatric surgery, and changing her diet and fitness habits.

Working with Rebecca Williamson, a registered dietitian in the Corporate and Community Wellness Department at IRMC, Fedoruk readied to change her life.

Williamson says all the preliminary testing, which includes blood work, sleep studies, upper GI, EKG and any X-rays, can be completed at IRMC. Three to five people are involved each month, and some come in before work or during lunch for their tests.

I was a Size 24 and my heaviest weight, 279 pounds, on March 6, 2015, Fedoruk says. I thought I was about to be on a reality TV show.

I knew I needed to do something. I had done diet pills, over-the-counter plans. I told my doctor I needed a different way. I needed a life-changing, healthy way of living. At the time, my son was 7. It was hard for me to play with him. I honestly didnt think Id live to watch him grow up.

Prep Work

Fedoruk opted for the gastric sleeve procedure, which is less invasive and requires less healing time.

It was the best choice for me, she says of the October 2015 surgery.

She was home a few days later nearly pain-free. She doubts her recovery would have gone as smoothly without the pre-surgery assistance she received at IRMC.

It was wonderful, Rebecca actually taught me everything I was doing wrong, Fedoruk says. She taught me how to read labels, what to look for and what I should be eating.

Fedoruk has since her life-changing decisions to improve her health gained self-confidence and has a more outgoing lifestyle.

Williamson told Fedoruk she was limited to 1,500 calories a day. Fedoruk took this further and consumed 1,200 to 1,300 calories daily, with smaller meals and snacks. One of her go-to snacks was a cup of yogurt with strawberries and granola. She also began practicing yoga daily. Having undergone eight knee surgeries since she was 15, Fedoruk appreciated the low-impact exercise.

Her weight plummeted from 279 pounds in March to 221 in October. She had demonstrated her dedication, and she was ready for the surgery.

Less than a year later, she weighs 143 pounds and has never felt better.

Im half-Czech and half-Italian, Fedoruk says. Lots of good food. When I was depressed, Id lick the plate clean.Thats what I knew.

"To me, diets are temporary," she continues. "I made life changes.

Fedoruk's self-confidence has increased post-surgery

Before surgery I hid, she says. I never went out, and if I did, I tried to avoid people. I was always in bulky clothes and hiding my face in scarves, trying to hide my body in clothes that were way too big.

Now I go out. I have met people. Im definitely a lot more outgoing. I dont hide anymore. I like wearing nice clothes and dressing up in clothes that actually fit me. I dont nap through the day. My energy level is way up. I feel like I have improved my life and my lifestyle more than 100 percent.

Continue reading here:
A Better Life - Winchester News Gazette

Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia in Western countries -- affecting at least 2.7 million people in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. AFib is a serious condition, and one that I treat regularly in my practices at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care in Bronx, New York.

During February's American Heart Month, here's some important information about AFib:

Typical Patient

AFib predominantly affects, but is not limited to, older people. This element is increasingly important because as our life expectancy continues to improve and the average age of the population increases, AFib is expected to grow and affect an estimated 50 million patients by 2060 across the U.S. and Europe. It's important to learn the facts of this condition as early as possible.

[See: The Facts on Heart Disease.]

Common Signs and Symptoms

The most common symptom of AFib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (also known as an arrhythmia), though patients may experience palpitations, which are sensations of a racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat, or a flip-flopping in your chest; lightheadedness and/or dizziness; confusion; shortness of breath and anxiety; weakness; fatigue; reduced ability to exercise; and/or chest pain or pressure. Please note, if you're experiencing chest pain or pressure, call 911 immediately.

Now that we've outlined the most commons signs and symptoms of AFib, there's one very important fact to note: Nearly one-third of AFib patients are asymptomatic. In other words, some people with AFib have no symptoms and are unaware of their condition until it's discovered during a physical examination. Because of this fact, it's crucial to schedule an annual physical exam with your doctor and understand your risks.

How to Treat It

There are a growing number of ways we can treat AFib and achieve great results. However, if left untreated, AFib can evolve from a momentary episode into a chronic, longstanding and potentially even permanent issue, causing subsequent concerns such as blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart conditions. In fact, patients with AFib are nearly five times more likely to experience a stroke those without AFib, are at an increased risk of developing dementia and have a nearly doubled risk of experiencing a heart-related death. Studies also show that individuals with AFib have an increased risk of renal disease.

It's important to discuss your risk of heart failure with your doctor, as AFib and heart failure frequently coexist and are often associated with several common predisposing risk factors. These include hypertension, coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, diabetes, obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.

[See: The 12 Best Heart-Healthy Diets.]

The Good News

There are a number of ways you can reduce your risk of developing AFib:

1. Increase your physical activity. Obesity is a significant risk factor for AFib. Consult your doctor to learn more about ways to safely increase your levels of physical activity.

2. Improve your diet. Undergo a weight-loss program and incorporate more fruits, vegetables and lean meats into your daily diet. Limit caffeine, alcohol, fats and excess salt. If necessary, consult your doctor about bariatric surgery.

3. Treat your blood pressure. Have a diet with low salt, and take your medications routinely, as hypertension increases your risk of developing AFib.

4. Treat your sleep apnea. If prescribed, remember to use your continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, mask every night. Doing so will improve your AFib.

5. Control your diabetes. If diet and exercise alone don't control your diabetes, please consult your doctor for more support and/or resources, as gaining control of your diabetes will reduce your risk of developing AFib.

6. Remember your medications. If your doctor prescribed blood thinners to you, it's important you never forget to take your medication to reduce your risk for stroke.

If you're diagnosed with AFib, there are many treatment options you can explore with your doctor, ranging from medications to minimally invasive procedures and, at times, surgery. One such procedure is a catheter ablation -- an established treatment to achieve freedom from AFib. Several randomized clinical trials have shown that catheter ablation improves symptoms and quality of life.

[See: 17 Ways Heart Health Varies in Women and Men.]

Although ablation is effective, the best outcome is achieved with a multidisciplinary approach that addresses multiple health conditions and cardiac risk factors. And remember, if you have AFib, the best outcomes are achieved if you actively care for yourself by keeping your weight down and controlling your blood pressure, diabetes and sleep apnea.

Consult your doctor for more information if you think you've been experiencing AFib.

Luigi Di Biase, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.A.C., F.H.R.S.,cardiologist, is the section head of electrophysiology and the director of arrhythmia services at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care. Dr. Di Biase is also an associate professor of medicine within the Department of Medicine (Cardiology) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Di Biase received his medical degree and completed his cardiology residency at the University of Bari in Bari, Italy. He completed a second-level master degree in Electrophysiology and Pacing at the University of Insubria in Varese, Italy, and his Ph.D. program in cardiovascular physiopathology at the University of Foggia, Italy. Dr. Di Biase's research focuses on cardiology and electrophysiology with specific emphasis on catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias performed either manually or with robotic catheter navigation. Additionally, his research focuses on heart failure, particularly cases treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy devices. Dr. Di Biase is the author of nearly 300 publications in indexed journals, 300 abstracts and 18 electrophysiology book chapters.

Read this article:
Atrial Fibrillation: Understanding Symptoms, Risks and Treatment - Yahoo News

Nick Caplan, Northumbria University, Newcastle

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly recently spent one year in space, while his identical twin brother Mark (a former NASA astronaut himself) stayed on Earth. The mission was part of an important health experiment, looking at how being in space affects our bodies. While the data are still being studied carefully, NASA recently released some intriguing preliminary findings.

Kelly launched aboard the Russian Soyuz Rocket on March 27 2015, along with Russian cosmonauts Genaldy Padalka and Mikhail Kornienko (joining Kelly on the one year mission). Before, during and after the 340 days he spent aboard the International Space Station, a large volume of biological samples was collected from both Scott and Mark. By looking at molecular changes between the identical twins that were separated at launch, NASA hope to shed light on how certain proteins and bacteria in the body are influenced by nature or nurture by taking advantage of the extreme environmental differences between living on Earth or in space.

Space agencies around the world have a shared goal of taking people to Mars. Missions to Mars will involve crews spending about three years away from Earths gravity, taking about six months travelling to Mars in microgravity, followed by more than a year on the Martian surface, living and working in about a third gravity we experience on Earth. This is before the planets realign and its time for the six-month return journey back home. In order to safely complete this journey, effective countermeasures to the potential influences of the extreme environment of space on the human body must be developed.

Scott watches a bunch of fresh carrots at the ISS. NASA

Previous missions to the International Space Station have identified many of the effects of microgravity on human physiology. Muscles, especially those that help support the bodys posture against gravity, waste away, bones become less dense, increased pressure in the skull leads to visual impairments and the amount of blood in the body reduces. As if that wasnt enough, the heart also gets smaller as it can pump blood to the brain more easily and cosmic radiation can lead to increased cancer risk.

To counteract all this, astronauts on the International Space Station complete a rigorous exercise programme (about two hours daily), accompanied by a strictly planned diet.

The NASA Twins Study uses the relatively new field of omics the study of a large number of systems in the human body at a molecular level. Initial findings involved telomeres often described as the ticking clock of the cell. Telomeres are DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes protecting them from degrading. As we age, the telomeres get shorter and shorter.

The study found that telomeres in white blood cells get longer in space. This was potentially thought to be due to the increased exercise regime and strict diet that Scott followed, but perhaps Einsteins time dilation effect could be playing a part in astronauts ageing slower. Despite this, markers of inflammation in the blood increased in space and after landing back on Earth, which could have been caused by the physical stress placed on Scotts body during re-entry and landing.

Some changes to DNA were also seen in Scotts gene expression. This finding could help identify specific genes that are sensitive to environmental stress so that we can help protect them. During the second half of Scotts mission, bone formation also reduced, which is more commonly seen in osteoporosis.

Astronauts will need to reach Mars and be able to perform physical and cognitive tasks to survive for months on end in the partial gravity environment of the Martian surface. They will have to construct the habitat in which they will live, perform system maintenance and carry out scientific research. By understanding how microgravity influences astronauts DNA, drugs and other countermeasures can be developed to prevent these changes and ensure that astronauts stay healthy.

Of course, it is not all about exploring the solar system. Many of the global space agencies aim to study how space affects the human body in order to improve healthcare interventions for patients on Earth. As the use of omics develops, it could lead to personalised healthcare.

By using these techniques to comprehensively analyse blood samples taken in hospitals, or even in doctors surgeries, it might one day be the case that doctors can predict whether a patient might develop a certain disease, and prescribe preventative drugs to reduce the likelihood of the patient becoming ill in the first place. Findings from NASAs Twin Study could, therefore, help us living longer and healthier lives on Earth.

Nick Caplan, Associate Professor of Musculoskeletal Health, Northumbria University, Newcastle

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Read the original here:
NASA sent a twin to space for a year, while his brother stayed on Earth; what we found - The News Minute

Not long ago, the Canucks went on a bit of a tear, picking up points in 12 of 14 games with a 9-2-3 record. That run brought the team to the lofty heights of the second wildcard spot, which they clung onto by the tips of their fingers like a rock climber with no rope. (Sidenote: The picture in that link makes my hands sweat involuntarily.)

Unfortunately, the Canucks werent able to cling to the edge and and have started plummeting down the standings like Lady Gaga from the top of NRG Stadium: slowly and safely.

The Canucks are now 5 points out of the last wild card spot and, with a tough schedule ahead of them, will find it tough to make up ground. Unless Ryan Miller plays out of his mind, the Canucks dreams of making the playoffs could be over in a hurry.

Like, say, by the trade deadline.

March 1st is just three weeks away and as the Canucks fall further and further out of the playoff picture, theres less and less chance that Jim Benning will gamble the future on making the postseason. But will they make any trades at all or will this just be a repeat of last year, when Benning failed to make the most of pending free agents Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis?

The Canucks have a few players that could fetch value in a trade. Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen top that list, but theyre not alone: Ryan Miller is a pending UFA and the Canucks have defencemen that could be moved as well, from Luca Sbisa and Erik Gudbranson to Chris Tanev and Alex Edler.

The biggest problem is that Burrows, Hansen, Miller, and Edler all have no-trade clauses in their contracts. For Hansen and Miller, theyre modified clauses that allow them to list teams they would be willing to go to. Earlier this season, Jim Benning made it clear that he wouldnt ask veteran players to waive those NTCs, a switch from his stance when he first came in as General Manager.

There are a couple reasons why I wanted to put that out there about not trading the guys with no trade contracts, he said on TSN 1040. The first reason, I think, is I wanted to be honest with our players and our fans...the other reason is I want to try to eliminate the unnecessary distractions so our players can focus on getting better and winning games.

Whether you agree with this call or not, at least it was clear. It left an opening for players without no-trade clauses to be moved, like Tanev, Sbisa, or Gudbranson, but at least guys like Burrows and Hansen could play out the season without worry.

Except

Heres what Benning had to say this week on the subject of asking Burrows and Hansen to waive their no-trade clauses or, in Hansens case, of providing a list of teams.

Were going to see where were at, said Canucks general manager Jim Benning, whos on a European scouting trip. Ill have individual conversations with those players and their agents, but were hoping we can stay in the (playoff) fight. But its a tough trip.

Wait, what?

Benning went from clear and distinct he wont trade players with NTCs to more waffley than Elevens diet. Instead of a blanket statement that covers everyone with a NTC, its now about individual conversations. And so much for being honest with our players and eliminating distractions.

So, will Benning aim to add more draft picks and prospects by doing what he said he definitely wouldnt do? Honestly, going back on his word is probably the best move for the franchise as a whole. I love Burrows and Hansen, but if you can get a high draft pick and/or a great prospect back in a trade, you have to do whats best for the future.

Still, it adds a dose of uncertainty to the next few weeks for several Canucks.

Read more:
Jim Benning probably won't ask veterans to waive no-trade clauses, but he definitely might - Vancouver Courier

I know Democrats and progressives are going nuts over President Donald Trumps first few weeks in office I know the Middle East is a mess and that we have no small number of incredible challenges at home but I have my own worries.

Like millions of other Americans, Im on my annual February diet.

You see, its not easy to be trim and fit in America. Our culture is saturated with an abundance of high-calorie, processed foods that turn into instant fat.

We work long and hard in sedentary office jobs, then eat our stress away, two or three fast-food treats at a time.

Weve become so fat, to quote Rodney Dangerfield, that our bathtubs have stretch marks.

We know our increasing tubbiness isnt healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity-associated diseases such as diabetes have soared in recent years. Gallbladder diseases, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and heart disease are all caused by carrying too much weight.

And so we are on a continuous mission to lose weight. Our challenge is that the fad diets that promise to get us there go in and out of fashion faster than the white patent leather shoes and belts my father used to wear to church.

According to the website The Daily Meal, the Mediterranean diet featuring natural, plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts is in.

So, too, is the Paleo diet, which apparently is similar to the Mediterranean diet, except legumes are forbidden.

Which is a shame, too, because I just learned that legumes include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lentils, lupin beans, mesquite, carob, soybeans, peanuts and tamarind which go well with the bourbon I am driven to drink as I try to figure out which diet to go on.

Volumetrics is another in diet. It encourages the consumption of low-energy-density foods, which make you feel full with fewer calories than high-energy-density foods. It also sounds like too much math is involved.

The gluten diet is on the outs, though, according to The Daily Meal. Apparently, it puts people at risk for different deficiencies such as B vitamin deficiencies, calcium, fiber, vitamin D and iron.

The Daily Meal no longer favors the Atkins Diet, either, which makes me sore.

Dr. Atkins said we could eat delicious steaks, pork, chicken and fish. He said we could eat as much eggs and cheese and other tasty no-sugar treats as we could stuff into our bellies. His diet was all the rage for years.

But now The Daily Meal says his diet is a no-go? That it is not heart-healthy and that most users are not compliant over the long term?

Not so fast! Several prominent studies have concluded that old Doc Atkins was onto something. Low-carbohydrate diets may actually take off more weight than low-fat diets and may be surprisingly better for cholesterol, too.

One of my greatest dieting disappointments of the last 20 years, though, was the failure of the exercise pill, which had shown promise at Duke University around 2002.

Researchers had located the chemical pathways that muscle cells use to build strength and endurance. With that knowledge in hand, there was hope that a pill could be created that would pump up muscle cells without the need for actual exercise.

Dieting Americans could have sat on the couch, chomping potato chips and dip, while their biceps got as round as cantaloupes and their abs got as hard as stone but this uniquely American dieting innovation wasnt to be.

I think Ill try a new, restrictive diet this February: the Democrats in Congress diet.

Ill deny myself everything.

Read this article:
Purcell: Still searching for a diet panacea - Casper Star-Tribune Online

Eat half a croissant and a pack of baby food, and you too can lose weight likeLena Dunham.

For those of you begging me for answers, the actress captioned an Instagram of a spoof meal plan dubbed Lenas Trump Diet, which comes a day after saying shes beenso upset since Donald Trumps presidential victory that she hadnt been able to eat.

On paper, she lists her daily diet ofgreen tea, 1/2 croissant before finding out Devos has been confirmedand baby food so I dont faint during press, complete with time stamps and funny illustrations.

On Monday, the Girls star told Howard Stern that her recent weight loss was sparked by Trumps presidency.

Donald Trump became president and I stopped being able to eat food, she said, blaming her weight loss specifically on soul-crushing pain and devastation and hopelessness.

But she warns that the diet plan isnt to be taken seriously.

FYI still rocking a BMI above doctors recommendation despite months of this. Do not recommend this diet, she explains.

It is unclear if the diet has had the same effect on Lenas pooches, as they were supposedly in on her 2:30 p.m. meal of veggie dog buns.

View post:
Lena Dunham reveals her 'Trump Diet' - Page Six