Get started on weight management

A practical guide to weight watching

Have you been told you should lose weight? There are many good reasons to lose extra weight. But don't do it just because someone else tells you to. Choose to do it for yourself because you want to feel, look and live better.

WHY LOSE WEIGHT?
For yourself
Exercising and eating better to help lose extra weight may mean that:
1.Your clothes fit better
2.You have more energy for the things you want to do
3.Your body is stronger
4.You feel better about yourself

For your health
If you are overweight, losing even a little weight can help you be healthier.
The following health problems may be more likely if you are overweight:
1.Osteoarthritis (joint problems)
2.Type 2 diabetes
3.High blood pressure and heart disease
4.Gallbladder disease
5.Sleep apnea and other respiratory problems
6.Certain types of cancer

FADS DON'T WORK
Maybe you've heard about the latest diet fad. You know, the one that tells you to eat only certain types of foods. Or the one that says you'll lose 30 pounds in 30 days. If these diets can do what they claim, then why are over half of the people in the United States still overweight?
The fact is gimmicks and fad diets just don't work in the long run. Some put your body and health at serious risk. Some help you lose weight, but they don't give you the skills you need to keep from gaining the weight back. The key to losing weight: Eat a variety of healthy foods and get regular exercise. Then keep up those habits to keep the weight off for good.

WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?
You may have many reasons why you're not ready to lose weight. You may not feel you have the time or the skills. You may be afraid of losing weight and gaining it back. You may want to wait until tomorrow. Well, you can lose weight. You can keep the weight off if you make changes slowly and stick with them. Decide that the right time to be healthier is now.

Break down those barriers
1. Get a large piece of paper. Fold it in half lengthwise to make a crease down the center.
2. On the left side of the crease, write down your barriers to losing weight. What are your fears? What's stopping you?
3. On the right side of the crease, write down the benefits of losing weight. What are your hopes? What would you do if you were thinner and healthier? What would you do if you were thinner that you don't (or can't) do now?
4. Compare the lists. Do the benefits outweigh the barriers?

As you read on, you will find information, skills, and other tools. These help you get started breaking down your barriers. Your health care providers, family, and friends can give you encouragement and support.

WHAT IS A HEALTHY BODY?
Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Not all bodies are made to be thin. For some people, a healthy weight is higher or lower than the average weight listed on weight charts. And though most magazines are filled with thin people, keep in mind that these models usually weigh less than their healthy weight.

CHOOSE A LONG-TERM GOAL
Pick a challenging goal, but make it one you think you can reach. You don't have to aim for a large amount of weight loss. Losing 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight is reachable and can help improve your health. Your goal doesn't even have to be a specific weight. You may decide on a fitness goal (such as walking 10 miles a week), or a health goal (such as lowering your blood pressure). Whatever it is, choose a goal that is measurable, so you know when you've reached it.

Most of us rely on weight charts to tell us whether we are at a healthy weight. But these charts show average weights that may not be healthy or right for you. Body mass index (BMI) is another way of finding a healthy weight. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for obesity and health problems. To figure your BMI, find your height and weight (or the numbers closest to them) on the chart above. Follow each column of numbers to where your height and weight meet on the chart. That is your BMI. Then look at the bottom of the chart for what this BMI means.

FINDING YOUR BMI
If your height and weight are not on the chart, you can still find your BMI. Use this formula to figure your BMI:
1) Multiply your weight in pounds by 703.
2) Divide the answer by your height in inches.
3) Divide this number by your height in inches again. This is your BMI.

Example:
1. 160 pounds x 703 = 112480
2. 112480 ÷ 63 inches = 1785
3. 1785 ÷ 63 inches = BMI of 28

MAKE AN ACTION PLAN
Once you have chosen a long-term goal, set short-term goals to help you get there. Short-term goals are part of your action plan. This plan outlines the steps you are going to take to get where you want to be. Aim for small changes. Keep track of your progress. Reward yourself along the way. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to your goal. For instance:
1.Goal: Be more active. Action Plan: Take the stairs instead of the elevator at work every day. Walk around the block once three days a week.
2.Goal: Cut back on fat. Action Plan: Use 2-percent milk instead of cream in my coffee. Have fruit instead of a cookie with my lunch on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
Write down your goals. Then, keep a daily record of your progress. Write down what you eat and how active you are. This record will help you stay on track. It can show patterns, such as times when you tend to eat too much. It also lets you look back on how much you've done. This may help when you're feeling frustrated.

EAT MORE FIBER
High-fiber foods are digested more slowly than lower-fiber foods, so you feel full longer. Try to get an average of 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Foods that are high in fiber include:
1.Vegetables and fruits (not juice, which has little fiber)
2.Whole-grain or bran breads, pastas, and cereals
3.Legumes (beans) and peas

REWARD YOURSELF
Even if you don't reach every goal, give yourself credit for what you do get done. For your reward, choose a treat not related to food. For instance, if you've met your exercise goal for the week, take time out for a warm bubble bath. Or if you've stuck to your eating plan, treat yourself to something new: a massage, book, magazine, CD or DVD.

HEALTHY EATING
Food is your body's fuel. You can't live without it. The key is to give your body enough nutrients and energy without eating too much. This sounds simple, but it can be hard to do in our food-obsessed culture. Help yourself by knowing what, when, why, and how you eat. Learning new eating habits will help you manage your weight.

Try the following:
1.Don't skip meals. Skipping meals often leads to overeating later on. It's best to spread your eating throughout the day.
2.Eat a variety of foods, not just a few favorites. Not only is this healthier, but it can help ward off cravings.
3.If you find yourself eating when you're not hungry, ask yourself why. Many of us eat when we're bored, stressed, upset, tired, or just to be polite.
4.Learn to listen to your body. If you're not hungry, get busy doing something else instead of eating. For instance, if you're bored, stressed, or upset, try going for a walk.
5.Eat slower. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that it's full. You may find it easier to stop at one helping.
6.Pay attention to what you eat. Don't read or watch TV during your meal.

READ FOOD LABELS
Most packaged foods are required to list certain information on the label. Knowing what to look for can help you make good food choices.

Look for the following:
1.Serving size and Servings per Container: The serving size is the average portion. All the values on the label are based on one serving. Remember to multiply the values on the label by the number of servings you eat.
2.Calories: The total number of calories in each serving
3.Total fat: Total grams of fat in each serving.
4.Fiber: The total grams of fiber in each serving.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Your body works better when it has the water it needs. Drinking enough water can help fill your stomach and make you feel less hungry. And water is needed to keep your digestive system working smoothly, especially if you begin to eat more fiber. Drinking more water won't make you gain "water weight." In fact, the more water you drink, the less likely your body is to retain water. Try to drink eight or more 8-ounce glasses of water every day. Instead of plain water, you can make some of your glasses no-calorie, no-caffeine flavored water, carbonated water, or herbal tea.


EXERCISE AND ACTIVITY
Exercise burns calories. It helps build muscle to make your body stronger. And studies show that people who exercise are the most likely to lose weight and keep it off. Use the information that follows to make exercise part of your weight-management plan.

THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
There are many reasons to add some exercise to your daily schedule. Here are some of the many benefits of exercise:
1.Exercise burns calories. The more calories you burn, the less likely you are to gain weight and the more likely you are to lose it.
2.Exercise increases your metabolism (the speed at which your body burns calories).
3.Regular exercise may increase the amount of muscle in your body. Muscle burns calories faster than fat. So the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.
4.Regular exercise helps your body work better.
5.Regular exercise gives you more energy and curbs your appetite.
6.Exercise decreases stress and can improve your mood.
7.Exercise helps you sleep better.

MAKE ACTIVITY PART OF YOUR DAY
You may not think you have the time to exercise. But you can work activity into your daily life. Take 10 minutes out of your lunch hour to take a walk. Walk to the newsstand to get your paper instead of having it delivered. Make it a habit to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Make it fun, too. Take a resistance-training or aerobics class with a friend, ride a bike, walk the dog, or join a team sport.

STICK WITH IT
The key is to stay motivated all along the way. There are things you can do to keep yourself on the path to success.
1.Remind yourself of your goals. Post them near the refrigerator or desk.
2.Make daily entries in your diary or journal about your activity and eating. A visual reminder of success, like a gold star, can help keep you going.
3.Every week, take time to look back on how much you've accomplished.
4.Try taking a class. It can help you learn new skills and meet new people. You might try a low-fat-cooking class or yoga class. Don't be hard on yourself or give up if you slip. Be patient. Learning new skills takes time and practice. Learn from your mistakes and adjust your plan if you need to. Then get right back to it. If you believe you can do it, you will.
 

Solutions to your common skin worries

Know the causes of common skin problems, how to prevent them and how to treat them. By Dr. Awi Curameng

We all have suffered from common skin afflictions at one time or another. Though none are overtly life threatening, they can compromise the way we feel about ourselves and present ourselves to others. Go through this list of skin conditions and see how they should be treated.

Corns and calluses

The problem: Corns and calluses are thick, hardened layers of skin. Corns are usually found on weight-bearing parts of the feet, such as the toes, and can be painful. Calluses are flatter, rough areas of skin that usually develop on palms and soles. They are rarely painful.

The cause: Pressure and friction from repetitive actions cause corns and calluses. Tight shoes, for instance, can compress areas of the foot, which hardens and thickens the skin.

What to do: No treatment is need-ed unless there is pain. Prevention involves wearing good-fitting shoes, putting hand gloves when doing chores and applying protective pads over existing corns and calluses. During or after bathing, you can also rub a pumice stone over corns and calluses to remove layers of toughened skin. Never cut or shave them yourself to prevent infection.

Acne

The problem: Acne vulgaris is inflammation of a hair follicle and its accompanying oil gland. The area assumes the characteristic swollen, red appearance of a pimple, filled with pus, and often quite painful.

The cause: Acne is partly hereditary and could also be due to factors such as hormonal fluctuations, stress, bacteria in skin pores, skin irritation, or certain medications. Eating oily food or chocolate does not cause acne.

What to do: Keep your face clean by washing twice daily with a mild facial cleanser. Apply benzoyl peroxide ointment twice a day on pimples. If your acne doesn't respond to a few days' treatment, see a dermatologist. Do not squeeze your pimples! This may lead to infection and unsightly scarring.

Wrinkles

The problem: As skin ages, it loses its elasticity and begins to wrinkle, showing either fine surface lines or deep furrows.

The cause: Wrinkling is caused primarily by excessive sun exposure and smoking.

What to do: Medical treatments containing vitamin A, alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid), or antioxidants may reduce fine lines. Cosmetic procedures like glycolic-acid peels, dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, surgical procedures and Botox injections are for deep furrows. As with any skin condition, see your dermatologist for the right treatment regimen for you.

 

Surviving the flu

Expert advice on how to defend your family against an influenza attack.
By Eric Michael Santos

Anyone who's ever had the flu does not particularly relish the experience. Head throbs with pain. Muscles and joints hurt like hell. Throat feels like it's on fire, and the constant coughing just makes the pain worse. Of course, there's the fever, stuffy and runny nose, watery eyes and sometimes, if you're really lucky, even diarrhea to spice things up. To top it all, you have virtually no energy to do anything productive for at least several days.

Very contagious

Flu is caused by the influenza virus, which invades and multiplies in your respiratory tract. "There are three types of influenza viruses: A, B and C. Influenza types A and B are the primary causes of the disease and flu epidemics," says Dr. Vikki Carr delos Reyes, fellow epidemiologist at the Department of Health's National Epidemiology Center.

It's fairly easy to get infected. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, he sprays the air with thousands of droplets of respiratory secretions loaded with viruses. Or this person could, with his or her contaminated hands, touch objects and surfaces (door knob, telephone, computer keyboard, etc.). Breathe in the droplets, or touch the contaminated surface, and in one to four days, the oh-so-pleasant flu symptoms begin.

Dangerous complications

Like most viral respiratory infections (such as the common cold), the flu usually gets better on its own in about a week. "But the duration of the disease may vary depending on the viral strain and the immune status of the person," cautions delos Reyes. "That's why the elderly and those ?with chronic diseases---who have compromised immune systems---are considered high-risk groups for influenza."

Delos Reyes warns against serious flu complications, such as pneumonia and otitis media (middle ear infection).

Caring for your guy

It's the little things you do that say you love him. By Ivan Olegario

Your man is on a roll! So don't just sit there watching. Throw away the women's lib attitude, even for just this month, and be the woman behind the man. Help him get on top of his game. Here's how:

9 tips to keep him trim and toned

1. Ask him to walk the dog. Or let him do the weekend shopping.

2. Get a handyman to help you install pull-up bars in the garage. Men consider pull-ups as a measure of upper-body strength, and doing a few pull-ups is almost irresistible.

3. Save up for cool cross-trainers for him. If the thought of sweating it out won't get him to the gym, maybe strutting his new limited-edition runners will.

4. Place a bet. Wager that you can do more push-ups than him. The loser gets to wash the dishes. Make this game a daily habit.

5. Go online and map out a circuit-training program that he can finish in 20 minutes.

6. Set aside a wide area in your house for doing tandem stretches together.

7. Teach him how to do pelvic raises. This bun-tightener is great for both men and women.

8. Learn boxing, and then spar with him.

9. Buy him flattering supporter briefs. As I always say: "Nothing gives more confidence than snug underwear." He should never lift heavy weights without supporters anyway.

6 vanity essentials
Your man may be too macho to be seen buying beauty and skin-care products. But actually, men are more vain than women, more than they'd care to admit. Studies show that under casual circumstances (i.e., walking in a mall), men are more likely than women to check themselves out in the mirror.

So why not shop for him instead? Here are must-haves in every guy's vanity kit.

1. Portable electric razor. This is useful for a quick spruce-up should there be a surprise meeting with a client or the top brass. Some men even use this for a quick trim of fly-aways or stubble.

2. Tweezers. For those tiny stray hairs here and there. Some men even find them handy as miniature pliers.

3. Facial toner. A facial toner helps remove dirt and oil buildup throughout the day. It is also a great aftershave.

4. Hair wax. Hair wax is far better than hair gel or hair dressing. It is less drying and more lightweight, provides a neat casual hold, and prevents the hairline and forehead from getting too oily.

5. Sugar-free gum. The chewing action keeps saliva circulating, so that bad breath from a stale mouth becomes a thing of the past. Chewing sugar-free gum also helps rebuild eroded enamel.

6. Scents. The power of smell has been proven many times over. A cool pine- or citrus-based scent is ideal for his day-to-day travails---and is a safer choice than dark, musky night-time scents.

2 easy steps for a heavenly massage
Nothing relaxes your man more than a home massage after work. Learn how to give him a head and neck massage.

1. Pour a few drops of light oil onto your palm. Rub hands together to heat up the oil. You may add a few drops of essential oils for an aromatherapy experience.

2. Massage the large band of neck muscles that runs from behind the ears down to his neck. Use your fingertips. Apply smooth, firm strokes.

V for Vina

Vibrant. Versatile. Vivacious. This fitness buff tells us why she can’t live without exercise—and it’s not about vanity at all. By GD

Vina Morales is the epitome of both a healthy career and a healthy body. She's a singer, TV host, product endorser and entrepreneur (her family businesses include apartments and a chain of Ystilo salons).

The concert shuffle
Recently, Vina has focused more on preparing for her concert performances. This year she is booked for shows here and in the United States. It was the same last year: "I went abroad four times for concerts. I was able to go to the Middle East. I love traveling!" she says.

Vina's concerts usually run for almost two hours. She sings about 18 songs, five of them medleys. She says, "Punung-puno na 'yon! (That is already packed [with songs])" Her repertoire is made up of mostly hip-hop tunes, her trademark lately.

She not only sings, but also dances to these fast songs. Knowing that this is her edge over other singers, she constantly works on this strength. "It's really a gift na puwede kong maisabay ang pagsayaw at pagkanta (that I could do both dancing and singing at the same time). But at the same time, nakakahingal (it makes me pant)! I have to think of both the steps and the lyrics, and I have to make it all look effort-less. It's a great effort on the part of the performer but I have to make it look easy. Doing a concert is very tiring," she reveals.

Concerts abroad are more challenging, entailing other activities like autograph-signing and picture-taking sessions with the fans. "Matiyaga ako sa ganon (I am patient with those things)," says Vina. "Kahit nakakapagod ang trabaho, nakakawala naman ng pagod 'pag positive ang response ng mga tao. (Even if the work is tiring, the positive response of the people take away the tiredness.)"

Vina also needs to contend with jam-packed schedules. After performing in one city, she often has to quickly fly to another venue miles away. "Talagang sasakit ang katawan ko (My body will really ache) if I don't have the stamina ... I won't be able to complete my concert tour."

The workout payoff
Here is where Vina has learned the importance of being physically fit. Her fabulous abs are not the only payoff for her dedication to working out. More than the toned body and the beautiful figure, Vina has learned that exercising gives her the strength and endurance to sing and dance at her concerts. She explains, "Exercising gives my body resistance kasi 'pag wala akong resistance, halfway pa lang through my concerts, I get tired na. (Exercising gives my body resistance because if I don't have resistance, halfway through my concerts, I get tired already.)"

Vina's current workout plan includes cardio, stretching and dance classes. "I work out every day for about one hour and a half," she volunteers.


Dancing is definitely part of her workout as it keeps her fit and gives her the chance to learn new steps for her production numbers. Vina takes hip-hop lessons from her choreographer Joercelle, who also choreographs for her Sunday variety show, A.S.A.P. This avid dancer has taken up ballroom dancing and wants to take up jazz next. "I like dancing because it boosts my confidence. Others should try it too!" says Vina.

Variety is key
Committing to a workout is challenging. Those who resolve to exercise usually become lazy or unmotivated after some time. Vina suggests that one way to stick to an exercise plan is to have variety. This singer has taken up several sports and athletic activities such as running, tennis and badminton.

Pia Guanio-TV's Golden Girl

This TV celebrity is everywhere. Lucky for us, we were able to pin her down long enough to find out what makes her tick. By Mitzi Duque-Ruiz

She's all bubbly and sunshiny on-cam, we wondered when we went to her cover shoot if that was also her temperament in person. It's great to know that off-cam, Pia Guanio is just as cheerful---and every inch a professional, too!

It seems "burnout" is not in her vocabulary, despite her hectic schedule. Today, she co-hosts three shows a week: Eat Bulaga, the showbiz segment of 24 Oras, and S-Files.

On the contrary, Pia appears even prettier, slimmer and sexier every time she makes a media appearance. She explains, "I've always wanted to be in media, the whole fast-paced lifestyle, and the meeting people bit. By now I've become so used to it, so it doesn't stress me out. At least now I don't need to get up before the crack of dawn in time for an early morning show ... although I'm dying to get a vacation."

A sporty family
So where does she get that inexhaustible energy? How does she maintain her enviable figure that looks so good in her signature ensemble of spaghetti straps or tank top paired with a mini skirt and high heels?

It's nice to come from a clan that's into healthy living, she volunteers. "My family is health conscious and we're all into sports." Her father plays tennis, and her brother had been a basketball player.

"I also try to find time for sports, no matter how busy I am," she says. "Right now, in between shows, I box at Elorde Gym and recently started playing tennis again. I've been playing tennis since I was a kid."

And she has a regular fitness program to keep herself toned. "I work out with my personal trainer, Francis, at a gym near my home studio, GMA 7, in Quezon City. He pushes me, and would even text me sometimes to remind me about my workout. I do 30 minutes of cardio, and an hour of weights, at least two days a week."

But she's not that totally disciplined---yet---as she admits to some "bad" habits, such as "staying up late, watching TV, hanging out with friends," she fesses up.


Both feet on the ground
Her weekdays usually start at 8 a.m. "I just need a couple of espressos to get me going. I watch the Today Show, then do a mini fashion show of the outfits for the entire day's work," she shares.

While she waves off suggestions of stress or burnout from a grueling timetable, she does rue the loss of a large chunk of her personal time. "With my schedule, I can no longer attend events I get invited to---luncheons, cocktails and dinners. And my friends, who I like spending time with---watching movies, hanging out---complain about my time."

New test spots bird flu in birds within 4 hours, official says

Procedure aims to prevent the entry of the deadly disease in North America

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said Tuesday that scientists have a new test that can tell within four hours if a bird is infected with bird flu, but it still will take about a week to know if it has the deadly Asian strain.

Bird flu hasn't yet reached North America, but testing of migrating wild birds has begun in an attempt to catch it early if it does, Johanns told the Associated Press, in a joint interview with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt.

Leavitt added that four hours also is how long it takes to get preliminary results in people infected with the H5N1 virus, too. But if bird flu ever begins spreading easily among people, that's too long, he told the AP. "If it occurs anywhere in the world, it's just a matter of weeks until it appears in the United States," Leavitt said.

Bird flu has killed at least 127 people worldwide since it began spreading in Asia in late 2003. Though it is difficult for people to catch the virus, experts fear it could mutate into a form easily spread between people, potentially sparking a worldwide outbreak.

Copyright (c) 2006 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Harvard scientists begin experiments to clone human embryos

Stem cell harvesting from clones could save lives.

U.S. scientists said Tuesday they have begun work on cloning human embryos to create stem cells, a goal that some find ethically objectionable, according to the Associated Press.

Dr. George Daley, a leading expert in blood diseases and an executive committee member of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, is overseeing the work at Children's Hospital Boston, the main pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Daley said he had begun experiments but declined to describe the results, AP reported.

The Children's Hospital team's goal is to create stem cells for treating blood diseases like sickle-cell anemia, leukemia and other blood disorders. Two other researchers, Douglas Melton and Kevin Eggan, have received approval from a series of review boards to begin similar work, the institute said. Melton plans to focus on diabetes. Eggan plans to work on neurodegenerative conditions like Lou Gehrig's disease.

By cloning embryos, scientists hope to produce transplant material to treat a variety of diseases. Stem cells can give rise to more specialized cells and tissues that can be genetically matched to patients, avoiding the problem of rejection.

The University of California, San Francisco, is also pursuing the cloning of human embryos, according to AP, joining the race among a small group of researchers in this controversial pursuit.

Copyright (c) 2006 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Cancer of the larynx linked to asbestos exposure

Material broadens number of cancers it causes

Asbestos, already generally accepted as a cause of a number of respiratory ailments including lung cancer, may also be a source for laryngeal cancer, the U.S. government's Institute of Medicine says.

The Associated Press reports that a series of studies have found that certain cancers of the throat and lungs are similar, so the U.S. Senate asked the institute to investigate a potential link between asbestos and other upper-body cancers.

In addition to lung cancer, asbestos, historically used to insulate buildings, is also linked to mesothelioma, a rare cancer that attacks the lining of the chest.

But the institute said there was not enough evidence of a connection between asbestos and other malignancies, including cancers of the upper throat and esophagus.

Copyright (c) 2006 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. 

HealthToday bags UNICEF's child-friendly magazine award

The only magazine given the citation this year

HealthToday, a health, fitness and wellness magazine, has received special recognition as "Child-Friendly Magazine of the Year" for 2005.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) commended HealthToday for "promoting health and wellness for families and affirming the right of children and their parents to quality of life and wholesome living."

The award was given in April 2006 during the 5th UNICEF-PPI's Child-Friendly Newspaper and Journalist Awards held at the Orchid Garden Suites in Manila.

Other child-friendly awardees of the year are Junior Inquirer, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mindanao Times, the Baguio Midland Courier, as well as outstanding columns, children's stories and a child writer from Leyte.

Celebrating its 10th year of publication in the Philippines, HealthToday is a monthly glossy that empowers its readers toward healthy living. A sister publication, MOMS&babies, is a bi-monthly magazine that guides mothers through their parenting journey.

CMP Medica PTE. LTD. c/o MediMarketing Inc., publisher of HealthToday and MOMS&babies, is the biggest healthcare publishing company in Asia. It is affiliated with the United Business Media group of the United Kingdom.

Copyright (c) 2006 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

Japan, Austria report new cases of mad cow disease

Infected animals destroyed

Mad cow disease has been found in two places on separate sides of the world, Austria and Japan.

The Associated Press reports that Japan's case of mad cow was its 26th, a five-year-old Holstein dairy cow near the city of Hokkaido. Austria's was its fourth, found on a farm that officials described as being in upper Austria.

In both cases, the infected animals were destroyed and their carcasses were incinerated. Austrian health officials also said all the cattle on the farm had been destroyed.

Ironically, the news of the latest case in Japan comes right before Japanese officials were to meet with U.S. representatives to discuss lifting a ban on U.S. beef imports because of two reported cases of the disease in the United States, the latest one in March 2006.

Mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encepalopathy BSE) has a human equivalent, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), for which there is no cure. The United Kingdom has been hardest hit with 23 reported fatal cases between 2003 and 2004.

Copyright (c) 2006 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Tibetan yoga to be focus of breast cancer study

Initial studies reveal improved attitude of patients toward their disease with yoga.

Can a routine of yoga help ease the side effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients? Possibly.

The U.S. government's National Cancer Institute (NCI) has decided to spend $2.4 million to find out. The NCI has given the money to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to expand research it began in 2004 to determine if practicing a particular discipline called Tibetan yoga will help breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

According to a news release from the Anderson Center, its 2004 research, published in the journal Cancer found that practicing Tibetan yoga improved the sleep of lymphoma patients, and a smaller study revealed that breast cancer patients had a better attitude toward their disease if they practiced Tibetan yoga.

What is Tibetan yoga? "Like other types of yoga, Tibetan yoga involves breathing, physical movements and meditation, but it puts greater emphasis on meditation and visualization," the press release quotes Alejandro Chaoul, an expert in the discipline who will help conduct the study, as saying.

Lorenzo Cohen, the director of the Integrative Medicine Program at M. D. Anderson is the study's principal investigator. According to the news release, the study will involve comparing a Tibetan yoga routine with simple stretching or usual care in women who will be undergoing chemotherapy to treat their breast cancer.

Copyright (c) 2006 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Pot impairs learning in adolescent rats: study

Another reason for people not to smoke pot

The main active ingredient in marijuana leads to short-term impairment of learning in adolescent rats, but doesn't seem to affect adults similarly, Duke University Medical Center researchers report.

Their study compared the effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the memory ability of adolescent and adult rats to see if the animals, and perhaps humans, are more sensitive to THC at certain stages. Researchers found that chronic exposure to THC during adolescence may not lead to long-term damage persisting into adulthood, but said the finding should be interpreted cautiously, since other studies have suggested the damage may be longer lasting.

The study tested the effects of THC exposure on memory and learning by dosing rats with varying amounts, training them to navigate a "water maze," and then measuring how well the rats remembered how to get to a stationary platform in the water. After the THC had cleared the rats' systems and the adolescents had reached full maturity, the researchers tested how well they performed in the water maze. The chronic exposure appeared to have no effect on the rats' later learning abilities, the study found.

The findings appear in the March 2006 issue of the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, which is expected to be published June 8.

"There are plenty of good reasons for adolescents to not smoke pot," said H. Scott Swartzwelder, a professor of psychiatry at Duke and the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the senior author on the study. "The teen years require a lot of learning and preparation for adulthood."

Copyright (c) 2006 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.