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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Should You Kick the Multivitamin Habit?
Should You Kick the Multivitamin Habit?
If you're like many Prevention readers, multivitamins have been a key part of your daily routine since... well, forever. As recently as 2002, no less an authority than the Journal of the American Medical Association recommended that "all adults take one multivitamin daily." We at Prevention have suggested them to you dozens of times over the years as well. And many doctors and nutritionists still urge a multivitamin to any "less-than-perfect eater" to compensate for dietary shortfalls.
But today, a tsunami of scientific data has resulted in a reversal in thinking among many experts in the health and nutrition community, including Miriam Nelson, PhD, director of the John Hancock Research Center on Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity at Tufts University. "The multivitamin as insurance policy is an old wives' tale, and we need to debunk it," she says.
The sea change is supported by two massive studies. The first, a review of 63 randomized, controlled trials (the gold standard research method) on multivitamins, published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, found that multis did nothing to prevent cancer or heart disease in most populations (the exception being developing countries where nutritional deficiencies are widespread). In the second paper, published last year, scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center followed 160,000 postmenopausal women for about 10 years. The researchers' conclusion: "Multivitamins failed to prevent cancer, heart disease, and all causes of death for all women. Whether the women were healthy eaters or ate very few fruits and vegetables, the results were the same," says the lead author, Marian Neuhouser, PhD.
Maybe you never expected your multi to prevent breast cancer or head off a heart attack. Maybe you just felt that taking one would make you healthier by boosting your immunity or energy level. But research on those benefits is equally discouraging, especially in specialized groups on which you'd expect them to have an impact. For instance, a British review of eight studies found no evidence that multis reduced infections in older adults. Another study found that the vitamins didn't improve fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. And inner-city schoolchildren who took a multi did not perform any better on tests or have fewer sick days than students who didn't take one.
"There is even a small body of evidence that may suggest harm from a multi," says David Katz, MD, MPH, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. A 2010 study of Swedish women found that those who took multivitamins were 19% more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer over a 10-year period than those who didn't. A 2007 paper in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that men who took multivitamins along with other supplements were at increased risk of prostate cancer. And other research has linked excessive folic acid intake to higher colon cancer risk in people who are predisposed. "In terms of a risk-benefit ratio," says Dr. Katz, "why would you accept even a tiny risk if you're not getting any benefit?"
So why were earlier researchers so wrong? One reason is that they were studying the wrong people. It's now well known that people who take vitamins tend to be some of the planet's healthiest to begin with. Researchers have shown that vitamin takers tend to be leaner, more affluent, and more educated. They drink and smoke less; they exercise and go to the doctor more. In other words, they're healthy despite their use of multis.
12 Myths about breast cancer you should ignore.
In addition, the very concept of a multivitamin as nutrient delivery system is limited. We now have a much better understanding of how well whole foods deliver their nutritional benefits. A typical multi contains 10 to 25 isolated nutrients, but fruits and vegetables have hundreds of active compounds with a long list of health properties. "The vitamin C in a multivitamin is likely just not as effective as the vitamin C in a citrus fruit, where it's also surrounded by fiber and flavonoids and carotenoids. All these nutrients working together is what really keeps you healthy," explains Dr. Neuhouser.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Heart healthy alternatives to Halloween candy | Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.
Heart healthy alternatives to Halloween candy
SACRAMENTO – Halloween to most children means candy, a lot of candy. With childhood obesity on the rise in the United States, what can families do to stay healthy amongst the candy corn, chocolate nougat bars and gummy bears? Healthy and Halloween aren’t usually two words that are normally seen together, but there are good and easy alternatives that will make Halloween not so scary for your family’s health.
Give out healthy alternatives to candy to the ghouls and goblins that visit your doorstep:
- Halloween-themed pencils, note pads, bubbles, noisemakers, vampire teeth, temporary tattoos, (refrain from distributing choking hazards such as coins, rings to young children)
- Granola bars, pretzels, cheese and cracker packs, sugar-free gum, and hot chocolate packets
“It’s also a good idea to eat a nutritious and wholesome meal before your family heads out for trick-or-treating. They will less likely fill up on empty calorie foods and binge on their candy loot”, said G. Prakasam, MD, medical director, Pediatric Endocrine and Diabetes at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. Keep in mind, total restriction of candy isn’t healthy either. Allow your child to have some of their Halloween treats in moderation then ration out the remaining candy over a few weeks for dessert after a healthy meal.
Obesity can be prevented and it doesn’t take high-tech treatments or cutting-edge medications. The solution begins and ends with daily decisions we make, like limiting candy consumption. “Among children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health problems that previously weren’t seen until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. There are also psychological effects. Obese children are more prone to low self-esteem, negative body image and depression,” Prakasam said. The American Heart Association is working to help kids and families live heart-healthy lives.
For more information about how you and your family can learn to eat better and get more active, visit heart.org/healthierkids.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Fruit and vegetable concentrate may reduce cold symptoms
Fruit and vegetable concentrate may reduce cold symptoms
Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North America
By Stephen Daniells, 13-Sep-2010
Related topics: Antioxidants, carotenoids, Phytochemicals, plant extracts, Vitamins & premixes, Immune system, Respiratory health
Concentrates of fruit and vegetables taken as capsules may reduce the symptoms of common cold by 20 per cent, suggests a new study from Germany.
A micronutrient-dense concentrate of a range of fruit and vegetables including cherry, apple, broccoli, cranberry, orange, pineapple, spinach, and tomato was found to reduce the symptoms for moderate and severe common cold, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition.
“Given the widespread utilisation of concentrated dietary products, the present study has potentially important public health relevance,” state researchers from Berlin’s Charité University Medical Centre.
“To our knowledge, it is the first randomised investigation focusing on the benefits of juice powder concentrate in subjects particularly exposed to patient contact,” they added.
Very common cold
The common cold is a viral infection primarily caused by rhinoviruses. It is the most common infectious disease in humans, and responsible for about 500 million illnesses in the US every year. According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the common cold and related diseases costs the US about $40 billion every year (2003, Vol. 163, pp. 487-494.).
While various studies have looked at the potential of dietary supplements to reduce the incidence or severity of the common cold, but such research has yielded “inconsistent” results, claim the Berlin-based scientists.
Study details
The new study used the commercial products Juice Plus+ by Tennessee-based NSA LLC, and the company also funded the study. The fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate contained acerola cherry, apple, beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cranberry, kale, orange, peach, papaya, parsley, pineapple, spinach, and tomato, while the added berry powder included bilberry, blackberry, black currant, blueberry, cranberry, Concord grape, elderberry, raspberry and red currant.
Two-hundred and sixty three people were assigned to receive daily supplements of the fruit and vegetable concentrate, while 266 people received a placebo for eight months. Participants of the randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial had an average age of 39.9 and 80 per cent were women.
Results showed no significant differences between the groups regarding the total number of days with any common cold symptoms. However, people receiving the fruit and vegetable concentrate had an average of 7.6 days with moderate or severe common cold symptoms, compared with 9.5 days in the placebo group.
“Intake of Juice Plus+ was associated with a fewer number of days with at least moderate common cold symptoms,” wrote the researchers.
Commenting on the potential mechanism, the Berlin-based scientists point to the high antioxidant content of the supplement, including vitamins C and E, as well as nutrients such as beta-carotene and folate that have been linked to improved immune function via increased numbers of T cells (white blood cells with a key role in immune health).
“Whether long-term intake of Juice Plus+ could further reduce severity or even the frequency of common cold symptoms and the possible underlying mechanisms should be assessed in future studies,” they concluded.
Source: British Journal of Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, First View Articles, doi:10.1017/S000711451000317X
“Reduction of common cold symptoms by encapsulated juice powder concentrate of fruits and vegetables: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial”
Authors: S. Roll, M. Nocon, S.N. Willich
Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web site are © 2000/2010 - Decision News Media SAS - All Rights Reserved - For permission to reproduce any contents of this web site, please email our Syndication department: Administration & Finance - Full details for the use of materials on this site can be found in the Terms & Conditions
© 2000/2010 - Decision News Media SAS - All right reserved.
Supplements better than nothing - 05/18/2010 | MiamiHerald.com
Supplements better than nothing
It would be a healthier world if everyone enjoyed fruits and vegetables, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Most Americans are not eating the recommended minimum of five servings a day, and for kids the most commonly consumed ``vegetable'' continues to be potatoes -- as in French fried.At least once a month someone sits down with me and starts our counseling conversation with, ``I don't like vegetables and I don't want to be told to eat them.'' It is challenging. Research demonstrates a reduced risk of chronic disease with a plentiful intake of produce, so sometimes an alternative is required for the vegetable-resistant.
One option is a powdered fruit and vegetable supplement. These supplements are made by juicing and then drying fruits and veggies at low temperatures, removing water, sugar and fiber.
The companies that produce the supplements fund academic research that is published in peer-reviewed journals. The most recent was in the April 2010 online edition of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. This double-blind study of 117 healthy men and women measured changes in inflammatory blood markers after subjects consumed either placebo or two different powdered fruit and vegetable supplements. The goal is to have low levels of inflammatory markers, since inflammation increases risk for heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
After 60 days, the subjects receiving the fruit and vegetable supplements had lower levels of inflammatory markers, as well as higher blood levels of antioxidant vitamins, when compared to the group receiving placebo.
These findings are consistent with most previous research. Similar findings have been reported for people eating fruit and vegetables or enjoying a Mediterranean vegetable soup. These results show changes in blood levels -- though not less disease -- in people taking supplements. Long-term studies are needed to demonstrate disease changes.
For optimal nutrition, food is always the first choice.
Any whole food pill or powdered drink is meant to be a supplement to a varied food intake. But it's good to know there are tested alternatives available if you are not getting your five servings a day.
Sheah Rarback is a registered dietitian and on the faculty of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Her column runs every other week.
Juice concentrates show anti-inflammatory potential
Juice concentrates show anti-inflammatory potential
Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North America
By Stephen Daniells, 29-Apr-2010
Related topics: Antioxidants, carotenoids, Fibers and carbohydrates, Minerals, Phytochemicals, plant extracts, Vitamins & premixes, Cardiovascular health, Cognitive and mental function, Diabetes
Concentrates of fruit and vegetables taken as capsules may reduce levels of markers of inflammation, and potentially reduce the risk of chronic disease, suggests a new study.
A micronutrient-dense concentrate of a range of fruit and vegetables including cherry, apple, broccoli, cranberry, orange, pineapple, spinach, and tomato was found to reduce levels of various inflammatory biomarkers by between 16 and 35 per cent, according to findings published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
Chronic inflammation, brought about by an over-expression or lack of control of the normal protective mechanism, has been linked to range of conditions linked to heart disease, osteoporosis, cognitive decline and Alzheimer's, type-2 diabetes, and arthritis.
“In this study, using a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled design, of 117 healthy individuals, we showed that a fruit and vegetable concentrate resulted in an elevation in micronutrients (as measured by beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol) and reduced systemic inflammatory load,” wrote the researchers.
“Although the long-term implications of these findings are currently unknown, the close relationship between chronic inflammation and poor human health, suggests such a juice concentrate is a beneficial addition to the habitual diet in support of human health,” they added.
Study details
Researchers from the University of South Carolina recruited 117 people with an average age of 35 were randomly assigned to receive capsules containing placebo, or fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate with or without additional berry powders.
The researchers used the commercial products Juice Plus+ by NSA LLC, and the company also funded the study. The fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate contained acerola cherry, apple, beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cranberry, kale, orange, peach, papaya, parsley, pineapple, spinach, and tomato, while the added berry powder included bilberry, blackberry, black currant, blueberry, cranberry, Concord grape, elderberry, raspberry and red currant.
After 60 days of consuming the fruit and vegetable capsules, the researchers report a reduction in levels of Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1) of about 35 per cent, Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1-beta (MIP-1b) of about 16 per cent, and Regulated upon Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) levels of about 21 per cent, compared with placebo.
“These results are consistent with the hypothesis that these concentrates reduce inflammatory load in healthy people,” stated the researchers.
Source: Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200900579
“Systemic inflammatory load in humans is suppressed by consumption of two formulations of dried, encapsulated juice concentrate”
Authors: Y. Jin, X. Cui, U.P. Singh, A.A. Chumanevich, B. Harmon, P. Cavicchia, A.B. Hofseth, V. Kotakadi, B. Stroud, S.R. Volate, T.G. Hurley, J.R. Hebert, L.J. Hofseth
Copyright - Unless otherwise stated all contents of this web site are © 2000/2010 - Decision News Media SAS - All Rights Reserved - For permission to reproduce any contents of this web site, please email our Syndication department: Administration & Finance - Full details for the use of materials on this site can be found in the Terms & Conditions
© 2000/2010 - Decision News Media SAS - All right reserved.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Missourians pushing elderberry as superfruit (pdf attached)
Hartsburg, MO. • First it was the ruby red, Middle Eastern pomegranate. Then came Brazilian açaí, followed by the Himalayan goji berry.
In the past few years, a procession of "it" fruits has marched into American groceries, each bursting with antioxidants and vitamins, their respective industries say, and each as exotic and tempting to health-conscious consumers as the last.
Now, some Missouri farmers hope, the next member in this healthy fruit parade will be a deep purple, BB-sized orb that hails from more familiar terrain.
"We want to turn the elderberry into Missouri's superfruit," said Terry Durham, standing near some elderberry bushes last week. "We can create an industry right here."
An indigenous fruit that grows wild throughout much of North America, parts of Europe and North Africa, the elderberry has been deployed in folk remedies for centuries. But it was just in the past couple of years that Durham and his fellow elderberry fans saw its commercial prospects brighten.
"We didn't realize the health benefits until now," Durham said.
Four years ago, Durham planted a few acres on land he leased from friend-turned-business-partner Roger Lenhardt. Today he grows elderberries on 22 acres, making his farm the largest in the country. Within two years, Durham hopes production will more than double to 50 acres.
"There'll be fruit as far as the eye can see," he said. "This is just the beginning."
Homegrown effort
Most of the elderberries consumed in the U.S. are imported from Europe, Durham said, and are usually turned into wine or juice. There are small commercial growers in the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest and Canada, but most growers and researchers say they believe Missouri is well ahead of them, both in knowledge and volume.
"The University of Missouri has been doing research for about 12 or 13 years, and that's really put us in the forefront," said Joe Wilson, who started growing elderberries on his farm in Nevada, Mo., two years ago. "We're leading in production, too, but it's so small right now. It's like saying I have three pennies and you have two."
Durham, the driving force in Missouri's fledgling elderberry industry, is determined that will change.
He recently launched a cooperative, called River Hills Elderberry Producers, which is collecting wild and cultivated berries from growers around the state, processing them into juices and jam, and selling the products under the River Hills Harvest label. The group built a purple-roofed barn that will house a processing facility, which will be the first elderberry-dedicated facility in the country, Durham believes.
"We knew that the value in the juice was the way to go," Durham said, "and we wanted to own our own processing."
Durham and his colleagues also have started to preach the elderberry gospel.
This summer, he and university researchers conducted their fifth elderberry workshop to teach people how to grow and commercialize elderberries. The conference drew growers from 13 states and Canada.
"The first year we had eight people, then we had 32, then we had 64," Durham said. "This year we had 100."
After the conference, Durham and friends hosted the first Elderberry Festival on the farm. They built a stage under an old sycamore tree, a dance floor in the grass, and invited conference attendees and friends to camp to listen to bluegrass and celebrate the festival's namesake fruit.
"The flowers were blooming and the lightning bugs were out, all over the field," Lenhardt said. "It looked like a Hollywood marquee."
Testing for benefits
Researchers at the University of Missouri and Missouri State University began studying elderberry production in 1997, launching the Elderberry Improvement Project with a government grant. They took more than 60 exemplary elderberry bushes from around the country and tested them for yield and health, then narrowed the field down to two promising varieties.
"We tested them for many years, and the testing is pretty involved," said Patrick Byers, a regional horticultural specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, and a lead elderberry researcher. "Two looked very good, and we're in the process of making those available in the Midwest."
The next step, Byers said, is to expand on research that demonstrates the berries' health benefits. So far, research has shown that the fruit has high levels of antioxidants, can boost immunity, can lower cholesterol and has some anti-viral properties. (The leaves and stems of the shrub are toxic; only the berries are edible, researchers say.)
But before producers tout the elderberry's "nutraceutical" promise, researchers want to know more.
"For centuries we've known elderberries possess healthy qualities. The question is: What exactly is going on?" Byers said. "...What is it about elderberries that is healthy?"
The makers of the popular pomegranate juice, POM Wonderful, were recently charged by the Federal Trade Commission with making health claims that the government said the company's research didn't adequately support. So, growers and producers of elderberries say they want to be especially cautious.
The more immediate challenge is taming a wild fruit — finding systems that will make the plants more consistent and reliable. Research and experience has given growers some management techniques, but difficulties remain with even ripening and pests.
"It's still a puzzle to get a good crop year after year," said Denis Charlebois, a researcher with the North American Elderberry Alliance. "People manage to do a good product, but growing it consistently is difficult."
Growers have the ability to mechanically plant 1,000 plants an hour. But there is no way to mechanically harvest the berries, so everything has to be picked by hand. (It takes 2,000 berries to make a pound, and 20 pounds to make a gallon of juice. River Harvest's juice retails for $12 per 11-ounce bottle.)
But a mechanical harvester is under development, and the berries yield quite a bit of juice. "It's a small berry but they can be quite productive," Byers said. "Some have yielded 8,000 pounds per acre."
For the state's estimated 25 elderberry farmers, however, the appeal of growing the fruit goes beyond yield.
Durham and Wilson interplant other native species in their elderberry fields in an effort to create a native permaculture — a sustainable, diverse agriculture of native plants.
"It's a unique opportunity in agriculture because we rarely grow native fruit," Durham says. "It's meant to grow in this environment."
He and Lenhardt walk along a row of bushes, each wearing Elderberry Festival T-shirts. They say the elderberry's time has come. "We can sell a lot of this stuff," Lenhardt says. Durham then adds: "We just need more people to grow it."
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Notes from Orlando Break Out Trainings!
Thank you again to new 10-1-10 VF, Dezra Anderson, a mom of teens and full
time business professional, for sending us these wonderful outlines of the
Orlando Conference Break Out Trainings on: Wellness Presentations
Web Walks
Sharing Juice Plus Online Learn, apply ideas, share and save for future use! Thank you so much Dezra, Kristen Schultz
National Marketing Director, NSA Juice Plus+ Here are my first set of notes from the 2 breakout training sessions I
attended.
Please share if you want. Dezra
Friday, October 22, 2010
Orlando Conference Highlights from Mick and Jenny Daly, NMDs
From the Orlando Fall 2010 Leadership Conference...
Highlights
1. New Marketing Materials (click for a complete list).
These include a super new DVD "Bridging the Gap". You can see a short version at your juiceplus.com website and at www.teamjp.net, and order the DVD from www.nsapromoplus.com - for only $2 each! This will be our #1 choice for Wellness Presentations. Here's the inside of the DVD cover:
2. Gordon Hester's PowerPoint Presentations ... these are amazing:
3. Website Improvements - as well as the all new www.childrenshealthstudy.com website (coming in a couple of weeks), our www.juiceplus.com website has had an important facelift.
First, in "Resources" you see a 'teaser' for the awesome new "Bridging the Gap" DVD.
Secondly, you can see below that the "Store" link (at the right hand end of the menu bar) is now highlighted on every page. Also, the main page of the Store itself now has several important new features:
i. The other Juice Plus+ products are now shown (lower right) - this is great.
ii. "100% Satisfaction Guarantee" stamp (bottom left); click on it and you see:
"Refund Policy. We offer an unconditional 90-day, 100% money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your Juice Plus+ order, call the number below anytime Monday-Friday between 8:00am-5:00pm Central and our Customer Care department will take care of you.
Cancellation Policy. You may cancel your Juice Plus+ shipments at anytime. Just call 1-800-347-6350 or email at customercare@juiceplus.com."
iii. "C.O.M.O.D.O Authentication" (bottom right); click on this and see the extra assurance
that our customers' order information is absolutely safe.
These improvements are just another example that our company refuses to stand still, instead making great tools even greater!
4. Children's Health Study - this highlight features a big number: $200 million.
That's how much NSA has invested in our children's health through the Juice Plus+ Children's Health Study over the past 10 years.
In that time 530,000 children (together with their partnering adults) have been enrolled in the study, in 14 countries around the world.
Those children and adults have experienced significant improvements in many ways.
We have a beautiful new brochure (right) and in a couple of weeks we'll have a totally redesigned website with updated results, videos and other cool features, including a link back to your personal juiceplus.com website, if they have already visited that site. This means when they request more information you will get their email rather than corporate.
Three new doctors have been added to the CHS Advisory Board: Dr. Mitra Ray, Dr. Valerie Miles and Dr. David Katz (of Nutrition Detectives fame).
We've blown past a half million children getting free Juice Plus+ through the study; now we're head on to a million. We're making a difference now, let's double that difference!
5. Live Life to the Plus+! This was the 'tag-line' for the Bear Grylls presentation at Conference (watch here).
Live Life to the Plus+ is also the title of a campaign that will feature inspiring stories of people living life to the plus+ in many different ways. Footage of Bear and of our Team Juice Plus+ Four Deserts Runners (watch the video there which includes Dave O'Brien!) will soon feature on a new website www.LiveLifetothePlus.com. They will also star at our Long Beach Conference next March. We'll hear much more about this in the near future.
Live Life to the Plus+ is an exciting new facet to the precious gem that is the Juice Plus+ Experience. It will inspire in terms of health, wealth and life. How are you Living Life to the Plus+? Your story might qualify to be included!
From the Venice European Conference comes a superb new European website, Juice Plus+ Sports: www.juiceplussports.eu. Amongst the many others, read Dave O'Brien's profile and his comments about Juice Plus+; share them with everyone who is serious about their fitness.
We'll be back with more highlights tomorrow...http://www.teamjp.net/orlando
Thursday, October 21, 2010
article: obesity care may cost TWICE previous estimates
Obesity care may cost twice previous estimates
17 percent of U.S. medical costs is due to obesity, new study says
By MIKE STOBBE
updated 10/15/2010 6:48:37 PM ET
ATLANTA— Nearly 17 percent of U.S. medical costs can be blamed on obesity, according to new research that suggests the nation's weight problem may be having close to twice the impact on medical spending as previously estimated. One expert acknowledged that past estimates likely low-balled the costs and said the new study — which places obesity-related medical costs at around $168 billion — probably is closer to the truth."I think these are the most recent and perhaps statistically sound estimates that have come out to date," said Kenneth Thorpe, a health policy researcher at Emory University who has focused on the cost of health care.The new research was done by John Cawley of Cornell University and Chad Meyerhoefer of Lehigh University. It was released this week by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organizationAn influential recent study released last year — which has been cited by federal health
officials — estimated that obesity-related medical costs have reached $147 billion, or about 9 percent of total medical costs.The earlier study also estimated that obesity adds about $1,400 to a person's annual medical bills. The new study suggests the added cost is double that, exceeding $2,800.Cawley and Meyerhoefer used a data base that other obesity researchers have used — a federal survey of U.S. citizens and their doctors and other medical providers, which is considered the most complete information on the cost and use of health care in the
country.The new study looked at the data base's information on nearly 24,000 non-elderly adult patients from the years 2000 through 2005. Results were reported in 2005 dollars.Why did Cawley and Meyerhoefer come up with larger estimates?
- Past studies have relied just on self-reported weight, and many people understate their actual weight. The new research made statistical adjustments to come up with
what are believed to be truer figures.
- The authors tried to better establish that excess weight was a cause for the medical
costs. Previous studies stopped short of saying obesity caused the costs because there was too great a chance other factors could be responsible. Cawley and Meyerhoefer tried to overcome that problem by also looking at the weight of study subjects' relatives to determine if obesity ran in the family. If so, they labeled the medical costs of a fat person in that family to be caused by obesity. The two researchers at first were a bit surprised by how large their estimates were, but obesity is clearly a major burden on society, said Cawley, an associate professor of policy analysis and management."
It's hard to find conditions that aren't worsened or made more expensive by obesity," he said.Thorpe said the new estimates highlight a need to invest more in obesity-fighting programs.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The World Trades the Majority of Its Hours for Dollars and is Never Satisfied
Have you ever thought about your job in terms of it being a piece to the big picture as to your purpose? The only really "happy" people that are know are the ones who have discovered their giftedness, identity, and purpose. Money can buy things to make the moment happy, but those whose jobs become the platform that allows them to pursue their purpose instead of things are by far the happiest. Think for a minute… am I on the road that is leading to the place where I can stand on a platform to pursue what will make me the happiest??? Read a small blog entry by Seth Godin below to see his perspective on different optional roads you might be on. A few more things:
- if the whole purpose thing is way beyond you… send an email to juiceplus@thebeavers.net (put "PURPOSE" in the subject and make sure you include your address) and we'll be happy to send you a booklet from Rick Warren on "The Purpose Driven Life"
- try and create a business/job that doesn't require you to trade hours for dollars… that will give you the freedom to spend your time to pursue your God given purpose (it probably won't be an overnight change, but the effort will be worth it)
- thinking that the pursuit of being "happy" is selfish… read this
Four roads
1 - You might be stuck because you pick the wrong fork on a looping road. You keep getting better at the route you cover, but it doesn't go anywhere, you just keep doing it over and over. Nine years of experience is very different from one year of experience, nine times.
2 - You might be impatient or unable to stick to your decision to take this particular road, and thus you're always starting on a new road. Since the new road is always strange to you, you rarely get any better at getting where you're going.
3 - You might be on the wrong road. Sure, you get better at navigating your way, you can walk faster, you feel more comfortable--but this road is never going to lead much of anywhere.
4 - And, if you're lucky, you might be on the right road, and getting better as you go.
The World Trades the Majority of Its Hours for Dollars and is Never Satisfied
Have you ever thought about your job in terms of it being a piece to the big picture as to your purpose? The only really "happy" people that are know are the ones who have discovered their giftedness, identity, and purpose. Money can buy things to make the moment happy, but those whose jobs become the platform that allows them to pursue their purpose instead of things are by far the happiest. Think for a minute… am I on the road that is leading to the place where I can stand on a platform to pursue what will make me the happiest??? Read a small blog entry by Seth Godin below to see his perspective on different optional roads you might be on. A few more things:
- if the whole purpose thing is way beyond you… send an email to juiceplus@thebeavers.net (put "PURPOSE" in the subject and make sure you include your address) and we'll be happy to send you a booklet from Rick Warren on "The Purpose Driven Life"
- try and create a business/job that doesn't require you to trade hours for dollars… that will give you the freedom to spend your time to pursue your God given purpose (it probably won't be an overnight change, but the effort will be worth it)
- thinking that the pursuit of being "happy" is selfish… read this
Four roads
1 - You might be stuck because you pick the wrong fork on a looping road. You keep getting better at the route you cover, but it doesn't go anywhere, you just keep doing it over and over. Nine years of experience is very different from one year of experience, nine times.
2 - You might be impatient or unable to stick to your decision to take this particular road, and thus you're always starting on a new road. Since the new road is always strange to you, you rarely get any better at getting where you're going.
3 - You might be on the wrong road. Sure, you get better at navigating your way, you can walk faster, you feel more comfortable--but this road is never going to lead much of anywhere.
4 - And, if you're lucky, you might be on the right road, and getting better as you go.
Monday, October 18, 2010
You're Famous- Great Customer Care Ideas (from Seth Godin)
What makes a celebrity special? She was just an ordinary person a month or a year ago, but now, suddenly, your heart goes flitter-flutter when you meet her, or you want an autograph.
One way to consider fame is that it increases the options for the person at the same time the number of demands go up. In other words, celebrity makes the celebrity's attention more valuable.
It's exciting to shake hands or get an autograph from a famous person, then, because the celebrity has something others want, you're getting a slice of attention from someone who has other options. But she didn't exercise those options--she chose you.
By this definition, you're famous. Compared to just a few years ago, more people know you, you have more options and your attention is far more precious than it ever was.
Not just you, of course. Your customers too. They're famous now.
Time to start treating them that way.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Bear Grylls
www.LiveLifetothePlus.com coming soon.
Bear explains why the juice plus nutrition regimen compels people to do things above and beyond the ordinary life.
@BearGrylls & Juice Plus
 Bear Grylls (@BearGrylls)10/13/10 3:55 AM am back in USA today for 'juice plus'. fun team and great product that I have used since I was 18! http://ping.fm/c2ATn |
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Ask God To Help You Get Where You Want to Be
Daily Hope
"O Lord, God of my master, Abraham," he prayed. "Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham." Genesis 24:12 (NLT)
| "Your prayers reveal how serious you are about your goals. If you don't pray about them, you really don't care about them that much." |
The fourth step to getting where you want to be in life is simple: ask God to help you.
Step #1 - Determine your present position
Step #2 - Be specific about what you want
Step #3 - Look for God's promise
Step #4 -- Ask God to help you
Once you have found your promise in God's Word, pray and ask God for success, just as Eliezer did in today's verse.
Is it really okay to pray for success? Yes! If you aren't praying for success, what's the alternative? Are you going to pray for God to make you a failure? Eliezer clearly shows us that it is okay to ask God for success in accomplishing a goal as long as the motive is right.
When your success helps people and honors God, praying for success does not become a selfish act. It is the means to good testimony. In fact, here is what the Bible says, "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God and there we will receive mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it" (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).
If you study Genesis 24 further, you'll find that Eliezer prayed during his entire mission. In verse 12 he prays before he starts. In verse 15 he prays after he arrives in Nahor. And in verse 52 he prays in front of Rebekah's family.
So my question to you today is this: Are you praying about your goals? Are you praying about your future? Are you praying about your dreams or are you just kind of keeping them to yourself?
Your prayers reveal a couple of things. First, they reveal how serious you are about your goals. If you don't pray about them, you really don't care about them that much. If you only pray about them once, they are not a desire, they are just a whim.
The other thing your prayers reveal is how much you are depending on God to reach your goals. If you never pray about your goals, never pray about your job, never pray about your finances, you are not depending on God in any of those areas. The more you depend on God, the more you'll pray.
So determine your present position, decide what you want, find a promise from God to hold onto, claim it, and then ask God for help.
Seth's Blog: Getting smart about the hierarchy of smart
Getting smart about the hierarchy of smart
Don't talk to all your employees, all your users or all your prospects the same way, because they're not the same.
The Dreyfus model of skill acquisition posits that there are five stages people go through:
1. Novice
--wants to be given a manual, told what to do, with no decisions possible
--needs a bit of freedom, but is unable to quickly describe a hierarchy of which parts are more important than others3. Competent
--wants the ability to make plans, create routines and choose among activities4. Proficient
--the more freedom you offer, the more you expect, the more you'll get5. Expert
--writes the manual, doesn't follow it.
If you treat an expert like a novice, you'll fail.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Bible Study Humor
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Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Wellness Presentation Invitation SAMPLES
Attached are wonderful invitations that Dr. Richard DuBois & his wife Jan
use for their Wellness Presentations. They showed these at the K.C.
Regional and are sharing with us!
Jan encouraged us to use "invitations" rather than "flyers".
use for their Wellness Presentations. They showed these at the K.C.
Regional and are sharing with us!
Jan encouraged us to use "invitations" rather than "flyers".
Monday, October 4, 2010
Juice Plus and Skin Health - VEGGIES vs. ACNE article from Dole
Nutrition News Desk
VEGGIES vs. ACNE
30% Fewer Pimples with 5+ Servings
Striving for an unblemished complexion? Bypass the skin care aisle and head to the produce section! Eating more raw veggies might reduce breakouts by as much as 30%, according to new research.
Monday Motivator
In our economy today, many are no longer content leaving their family's future in the hands of big government or corporate America! Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you. Jim Rohn |
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