By Allison Cross, Canwest News Service

Obesity is now a bigger overall threat to people’s health than smoking, according to results of the longest ongoing health study of adults in the United States. Photograph by: Tony Melville, ReutersBy Allison Cross, Canwest News Service

Obesity is now a bigger overall threat to people’s health than smoking, according to results of the longest ongoing health study of adults in the United States.

Obesity causes as much or more disease than tobacco, says the study, conducted by researchers from Columbia University and the City College of New York. It adds that while smoking rates are starting to decline, obesity now shortens as many or even more healthy lifespans than tobacco use.

“Health impacts of obesity are, in many ways, much larger, than the health impacts of smoking,” said Dr. Arya Sharma, chairman for obesity research and management at the University of Alberta. “(Smoking) in the end, is limited to heart disease and cancer.”

The study, conducted over 15 years, was based on interviews with more than 3.5 million people and calculations of the number of “quality-adjusted life years” (QALYs) lost to obesity and smoking.

Quality-adjusted life years are a measurement of the quality and quantity of a life lived, and assign higher scores to perfect or good health, and lower scores to illness, injury and death.

Between 1993 and 2008, smoking in American adults declined by 18.5 per cent, while the proportion of obese people increased by 85 per cent, the study says.

Overall, smoking caused more deaths but obesity has a greater impact on illness, said the researchers.

The results of the study support what doctors and researchers have been saying for many years in the U.S. and in Canada, said Sharma.

There’s nothing to indicate the results of the study aren’t mirrored in the Canadian population, he said.

Obesity is a complex disease that can lead to diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, sleep apnea, joint replacement and other problems, said Sharma, who added that the effects of obesity are often treated, but not the obesity itself.

"It hits people at young ages now. We’re looking at an epidemic of childhood obesity,” Sharma said. “None of the prevention methods that are being implemented are showing any signs of working. To be effective, they would have to be pretty drastic.”

A study presented in October at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Edmonton said obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are affecting Canadian teens at alarmingly high rates and are increasing over time.

Sharma said the study demonstrates that anti-smoking campaigns have been effective, but the same approach can’t necessarily be taken to combating obesity.

“The factors causing obesity are so entrenched in our Western lifestyle, from everything starting from how we build our cities and our food policies,” he said. “It’s not just about going out and eating healthy or exercising more. It is, in fact, very difficult for people to eat healthy and exercise more given the lifestyle that most of us currently have.”

Social stigma is no longer an excuse not to speak openly about the dangers of obesity, said Dr. David Lau, president of Obesity Canada and a medical professor at the University of Calgary.

“In 2004, the U.S. surgeon general already announced that obesity has overtaken tobacco as the No. 1 public health enemy, but now we have data to support it,” Lau said. “I think it’s very timely after the Christmas holiday, when we’ve all put on a few pounds, to be more alerted to the fact that obesity is not something to be dismissed.”

The diabetes epidemic in Canada has been fuelled by an obesity epidemic and children and young adults have become susceptible to diseases that normally afflict people in their 40s and 50s, Lau said.

“Of course, we have to talk about genetic predisposition but, be that as it may, the major driver for Type 2 diabetes is not genetic. It has to do with our eating habits,” he said.

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

By Elizabeth Cohen, CNN Senior Medical Correspondent

CNN) — On a recent flight from San Francisco, California, to Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Julie Gerberding was thrilled to get bumped up to first class. The thrill, however, quickly disappeared: As she did her victory walk to the front cabin, she noticed that the woman in the seat next to hers was hacking up a lung.

“She was on her cell phone, saying, ‘I feel miserable. I just know I have swine flu,’ ” Gerberding remembered. “I thought to myself, ‘Oh, great.’ “

For the duration of her transcontinental flight, Gerberding played viral roulette as she sat shoulder-to-shoulder next to Ms. Sneezy in a confined space.

Gerberding, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, had a few strategies for avoiding this woman’s germs, some of which you can use on planes, trains, automobiles and anywhere else if you get stuck next to Typhoid Mary — or, in this case, H1N1 Mary.

Gerberding’s first step was to point the air vent in the ceiling toward the sick woman and away from herself.

“That helped point the germs towards her and away from me,” she said.

She then pivoted her body — she was sitting on the aisle seat — away from Ms. Sneezy.

“There wasn’t much else I could do. At some point, I just crossed my fingers,” Gerberding said.

Actually, Gerberding realized later there was one more thing she could have done.

“I could have approached a flight attendant and said, ‘The person sitting next to me has swine flu. Could you please offer her a mask?’ In retrospect, I wish I had done that.”

On airplanes, you’re most likely to catch an illness from the people sitting in your row and in the row behind you, according to researchers at Purdue University, who developed an animation showing how germs move around an airplane.

“The bad news is if you’re in that strike zone, you’re at risk,” Gerberding said. “If someone sitting right near you has the flu, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get it. Flu is very transmissible.”

Watch how easily germs spread.

Gerberding adds that you probably won’t catch the flu from someone sitting several rows away, since circulating air on planes goes through a HEPA filter.”

The good news is, if you’re not right in that strike zone, you’re probably at low risk,” she said.

Whenever you’re out in public, you can catch a germ from anyone within about six feet of you; that’s how far some germs can travel, according to Dr. Rhonda Medows, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health.

“Air droplet spray actually comes into your body. You’re inhaling it. You’re breathing those respiratory droplets,” Medows said.

Another way you can catch a germ from someone is if you touch something a sick person has touched. For example, think about a busy escalator handrail.

“You and millions of others have touched it,” Medows said. “And they could be sneezing, wiping their nose, coughing in their hands, and then they touch the handrail.”

Watch secret — and not so secret — sources of germs

If you’re healthy, your immune system should be able to fight off most of what’s on a germy handrail, but even if you’re in tip-top shape, chances are you have no immunity to the H1N1 virus, since it’s so new.

Medows’ strategy: After you touch something like a handrail, make a conscious effort not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth, and use hand sanitizer as soon as you can.

The National Institutes of Health offers more advice about preventing the spread of germs.

Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona known as “Dr. Germ,” says his research shows that another potential bastion of germs are water fountains. Some schools have actually shut down their water fountains for the duration of flu season.

But you don’t have to avoid water fountains. Gerberding says that if you want to drink from a fountain, follow these simple steps: Don’t let your lips touch the spout, and before taking a sip, let the water run for a few seconds to flush away germs. Also, wash or sanitize your hands afterward, since the bar or button that turns on the fountain has probably been touched by many other hands before yours.

Watch what you can do to avoid germs

You might be wondering why Gerberding didn’t go back to her seat in coach or ask for another one when she saw she’d be sitting next to Ms. Sneezy in first class.

“It was a full flight ,so someone else would have had to sit next to her,” she explained. “And I’m healthy, so I figured if someone had to be near her, better me than someone who’s immune-compromised in some way.”

By the way, Gerberding didn’t get sick from Ms. Sneezy on that long flight from San Francisco to Atlanta. She says she doesn’t know whether it’s because of her germ-prevention strategies or just dumb luck.

CNN’s Sabriya Rice, Caitlin Hagan, Sharisse Scineaux and Matt Sloane contributed to this report.

Officials are urging college students to get vaccinated for the H1N1 flu before heading home for the holidays.

Washington (CNN) — Chris Edwards’ fever spiked at 104 degrees this fall before he was sent home from Frostburg State University in western Maryland to recuperate from the H1N1 flu.

“It scared most of my family more than it scared me,” the freshman information technology major told CNN in a telephone interview Thursday. “For me, it was regular sick.”

He is one of many students at U.S. colleges who have tested positive for H1N1 — also known as swine flu — in recent months. To help cut down on the spread of the disease, the U.S. Department of Education has begun encouraging college students to get vaccinated.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said that officials would like to see college students inoculated before they head home for Christmas break. And if exam schedules make that impossible, students should try to get the vaccine while they are at home, he said.

As another tactic to cut down on the spread of H1N1, Duncan said his department is urging college teachers to be flexible with students who get sick, so they are not afraid to miss classes.

“If you are sick, this is highly contagious and we really need you home getting well before you return to class,” Duncan told a group of college newspaper reporters.

Edwards can attest to how difficult that can be. After missing a week of school, he said, “It took me a long time to catch up.”

The Department of Education said its most recent check of elementary and secondary schools found none were closed because of the H1N1 virus. That’s a big change from a peak in late October of more than 450 schools closed, affecting over 350,000 students across the United States.

However, officials warn it is too soon to relax.

“Although flu is going down, it’s far from gone,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Thomas Frieden said Monday, pointing out that flu season lasts until May.

“Only time will tell what the rest of the season will bring,” he said. “There are still lots of kids who are sick and lots of people who are at risk of getting influenza and end(ing) up getting severely ill from it.”

Related Topics:

• Swine Flu
• College Life
• U.S. Department of Education

Here is information that will help you understand some of the use of mangosteen. It also gives examples about mangosteen working in food which are good antioxidants these will help promote circulation and immunity to common ailments. This subject will give helpful tips when picking out products using the fruit.

Mangosteen fruit grows in South East Asia. It grows only in tropical areas. The general population knows very little about this fruit. The most of the benefits are received from the outer skin or rind that is used in the processing of the many supplements derived from this product. Some of the more recognized benefits of mangosteen is the quantity of antioxidants in the fruit. These compounds produce antioxidants that slow down the aging process, giving an increase in higher energy levels. Antioxidants are considered to be a natural cure all.

A tasty and surprisingly wholesome nutritional supplement Mangoxan which is made from the entire fruit puree of the mangosteen, along with some new all-natural, high-antioxidant fruit juices. This fruit juice is distinct from any new character or kind of beverage, as it advances your health in astonishing ways. The aid of the xanthones included as well as new antioxidants. These many supplements affirm the benefits of mangosteen. It may be used in preventing the effects of some types of cancer; as this has still to be proven.

If you would be interested in becoming healthy, wealthy and wise then mangosteen products are for you. There are a lot of things that will be of real interest to you before you go and buy most anything using the word mangosteen in it.

Chances are good that you have heard of mangosteen before but never new its overall benefits. Maybe you are discovering what good a healthy diet can offer, such as consuming the mangosteen juice itself as a health supplement. The mangosteen fruit is known as garcinia mangostana.

More common knowledge for the many health benefits of the mangosteen fruit is becoming published around the world and not just found in parts of Southeastern Asia. This fruit having been around for a long time and is very widely used for many health benefits and is having great success.

As we consume this fruit we have seen the many health benefits that it offers us, as common human diseases are warded of by the antioxidant properties that help fight against them. The health benefits provided by this gifted fruit make firm believers in us for the benefits that it provides. Actually many proclaim that it is a lot better than most of the pharmaceutical products that are not natural, some being addictive, with its effectiveness toward anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. People who are diabetics benefit when if used on a constant basis, most people have shown that their need for insulin became less.

Many health conscious people appreciate the benefits that it contains, as many of antioxidants which are good protectors in one’s personal health. Antioxidants are one of the best things known to help with immunity, circulation, and in warding off the aging process.

The more antioxidants provided by these natural fruits to the consumer, the more energy they will have. To receive the full benefits from any mangosteen product, is to get organic, as well as a product that is not high in fructose corn syrup or sugar. This is essential in promoting better health.

Most research shows that mangosteen is very beneficial to everyone. For your best health, you should use a health supplement that has the best health benefits that mangosteen can offer, because it has been shown that it contains anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that will help prevent infections.

If you are in the boat with most people, you just wait it out and simply wait for the virus to take its usual course. And you as most people will not treat the underlying virus but just treat the symptoms which can show its face later on. Regularly taking a good mangosteen product has a great benefit in that it has anti viral properties.

Mangosteen has been shown to have both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It also appears to get anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties. Mangosteens woody rind also known as the perisarp, or the darkness, contains the xanthone compounds, instead of the fruit. The fruit also likely has some useful compounds, but these compounds contained in the fruit have not been studied as extensively as the rind, but the juice has been used for ages as a people cure.

The mangosteen fruit is widely acclaimed to show the qualities of an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, anti-viral and anti-aging salve. Also is very well received to aid in control of acid dyspepsia, conservative asthma, IBS, arthritis, eczema and otitis externa. It seems to be as good and beneficial as most pharmaceutical agents. As well as diabetics who prefer it over other treatments, which decreases the demand for the use of insulin. Mangosteen 100 – 100% Pure Undiluted Juice ~ GENESIS TODAY ~ 30,000 mg Pure Fruit Pulp Per Serving!!! As we see many more uses of mangosteen products. Taken for ages in traditional medicine, it is the woody rind of the fruit that is used for medicinal purposes. Through the ages, people grind up the mangosteen fruit, woody rind and treat such things as wounds or digestion issues. Andrew Gallop: Expert article writer: You can succeed http://www.mymangosteen.com/judys12gait/biz/ with articles on weight loss. There are more articles, videos and products that can help you live longer at, http://www.judys12gait.com

03/02/2010 5:52:00 PM

THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL - Researchers have discovered that a small proportion of morbidly obese people are missing a chunk of their DNA, and that genetic deletion may be dramatically affecting their weight.

In a study published in this week’s issue of the journal Nature, the international team of scientists suggests that about seven in every 1,000 morbidly obese people are missing the 30-gene section of DNA. The genetic variation was not found in people of normal weight.

About two per cent of North Americans are morbidly obese, with a Body Mass Index over 40. (A healthy BMI, a mathematical ratio of weight and height, is between 18.5 and 24.9.) In about five per cent of cases, excessive weight gain is believed to be linked to genetic causes, including mutations and missing DNA.

“In the past three years, we have made fantastic progress in learning how common genetic changes can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, as well as to small differences in people’s weight and height,” — said co-author Dr. Robert Sladek of McGill University in Montreal.

“The genetic change identified in this study is much less common, but leads to much more substantial changes in the body weight of the individuals that it affects,” — Sladek said Wednesday in a release.

Previous research has identified several genetic variations that appear to contribute to obesity, most of them single mutations that change the function of a gene.

While the Nature study authors do not know all the functions of the 30 missing genes, mutations in some of them have been linked to delayed development, autism and schizophrenia.

They suggest there may be other genetic deletions, besides the ones they identified, that increase a person’s risk of becoming obese.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that for some morbidly obese people, their weight gain has an underlying genetic cause,” said lead author Philippe Froguel, a professor in the School of Public Health at Imperial College London.

“If we can identify these individuals through genetic testing, we can then offer them appropriate support and medical interventions, such as the option of weight-loss surgery, to improve their long-term health.”

Blood Sugar

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Sugar is the major source of energy for all the cells in your body. But an excess amount of it in your bloodstream over time just may destroy your health. The sad fact is that today in America, an estimated 50 million American’s have unhealthy blood sugar numbers. Are you one of them?

Today a diet of processed foods is overloading Americans with sugar. Add to that weight gain, and a lack of exercise, and many Americans are ticking time bombs for severe health problems. Fortunately there are many proactive ways a lot of Americans are turning to promote a healthy balance of blood sugar.

By just watching your weight, eating a low fat, high fiber, raw food diet, exercising and taking herbal supplements for diabetics, you really can help make a healthful difference in your life now, and in the future. Medical bills will be less, consequently making insurance more affordable.

Source: Naturally Direct Do you want to learn how to lose that unwanted belly fat?

Imagine how you would feel if you could loose those 10 pounds in just 14 days! The Doctor Directed Weight Loss Program can help. There is no need to feel sluggish and tired all the time! You are simply making excuses why you cannot loose weight. We often make excuses when it comes to losing weight and because we make excuses, we stop ourselves from following our diet, put off the exercise we know we need and actually gain more weight and get more disappointed in the end. Therefore we have convinced ourselves that we cannot loose even 10 pounds. Have you ever stopped to consider this what a couple of pounds overweight plus time wasted plus bad advice; equals more fat gain (weight). Think of this formula!

A couple pounds overweight + Time + Bad Advice = More FAT

If you do not want this formula to be the general rule in your life; follow these simple tips.

1. Stop making excuses.
2. Choose the right diet.
3. Exercise.

How do you stop making those weight loss excuses?

You automatically make excuses without realizing it because as most of you know, losing weight is not that easy – you have to discipline yourself. Some of the most common excuses are:

• No time. I’m too busy.
• Too old.
• Not enough support.
• Not feeling well.
• No one cares anyway.

Sound familiar; well ask yourself why you make excuses every time. Most of these excuses you have to admit are pretty lame; so, how do you stop making those weight loss excuses?

Find out why you are making excuses. Are the reasons acceptable? Why are you not taking action? There are some of you who don’t like being overweight yet you are doing nothing about it because you are afraid that you might fail and end up still overweight. Don’t be afraid of change!

The way you think will affect how you succeed with your weight loss routine. The more negative you think, the more excuses you’ll come up with and ultimately fail! If you really want to know what is the fastest way to lose 10 pounds don’t let your low self-esteem win you over. It is well known that we do what we want to do. You are no different, make losing weight your priority. Discipline yourself; strive for a happy and healthy you. Write your answer for the excuse on paper, make it count.

Stop Making Excuses and Start Living With Energy

How do you choose the right diet for you?

Choosing the right diet can be somewhat of a challenge since we are all different with different likes and dislikes in food. Allergies also play a roll here and the selection of food while it can sound daunting can also be easy if you let it be. Get used to reading the labels on everything and try to prepare your own meals – stay away from those prepared frozen meals with a lot of sodium (salt) and other additives which actually make us crave more of the same type of food. Junk food (chips, candy, chocolate etc.) are also a big no, no!

The best thing I could suggest is to go shopping with a trusted friend that will help you select foods and prepare easy healthy meals and snacks. If that doesn’t work try seeing a dietician; but they sometimes get carried away with counting calories and that can be nerve racking in itself. So, the rule of thumb here is to:

• Shop for healthy ingredients.
• Prepare simple healthy meals – stay away from heavy sauces (gravies).
• Limit your portion size.
• Cut out desert entirely or at the very least eat half the usual amount.

Diet Wise: Let Your Body Choose the Food That’s Right for You

How do you choose the right exercises?

Choosing the right exercise to fit our schedule, habits and weather can be difficult at time but you must find time to fit it in. Lack of time to do exercises is one of the most commonly used excuses because you think that you are too occupied with other things. Lack of time is not a valid excuse because you know losing weight is really important. You need to find time for it no matter how busy you are. Get as much exercise as you can each day and you’ll feel more energetic. Take the stairs not the elevator!

If you’re having difficulties in losing weight alone, join a support group or ask someone to keep you accountable. Walk daily with a friend or take a neighbors’ dog for a walk. Even consider walking to the corner store for those cigarettes or loaf of bread instead of hopping into the car. I know it is easier but it is not healthier. Yes the weather is too hot, too wet, or too cold but those are just excuses; dress properly and in no time you will actually find that you are having fun on your outing.

Beginners Weight Loss and Toning Program

Still aren’t sure you can lose those extra 10 pounds in just 14 days! Look for a doctor directed weight loss program that coaches you to lose significant weight. One such program I came across is the Doctor Weight Loss Program. They also make available clinically proven products to help you achieve your weight loss goals guaranteed. What ever you decide, remember that you are worth it and a healthier you should be your goal. You can do it!

The Doctor Directed Weight Loss Program provides a step by step process that guarantees anyone to lose weight quickly and easily. Approximately 70% of the US population is considered overweight by today’s standards and the number of adults classified as obese has actually doubled in the last 20 years. The obesity rate among children has also tripled since 1980. Obviously there is a problem with our lifestyle.

There are 3 key things you need to keep in mind if you want to lose weight quickly and easily.

• Exercise.
• Diet supplements.
• Food.

To effectively lose weight for the long term exercise is always recommended regardless of what anyone might tell you. Exercise, together with weight loss supplements and proper diet produces great results.

If you are looking to lose 10 pounds or more you will find help with some specific weight loss supplements such as metabolism boosters, fat burners, appetite suppressants or carb blockers. The problem is that there are a great number of products from which to choose, of which only a handful have passed inspection by the Natural Health Research Institute.

Most of us have enough common sense to know we should avoid sugar, and snack foods like candy, chips, and pop if you are looking to lose weight. But what you don’t know is that artificial sweeteners like aspartame actually cause a craving for carbohydrates and end up causing an increased calorie intake. What’s more, there is an entire resource of healthy foods that when ingested actually cause your metabolism to increase. Get the complete list of over 150 metabolism boosting, fat burning foods to help you lose weight effectively.

You can look good and feel fit following a simple step by step process to lose weight. Just follow this formula:

The Right Information + Implementation = Dramatic Fat Loss

The Doctor Directed Weight Loss Program provides a step by step process that guarantees anyone to lose weight quickly and easily. To learn more just on the quick and easy weight loss program and other articles and products visit Weight Loss Health Reviews and don’t forget to sign up for your Newsletter to get regular site updates.

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Bally Total Fitness Thigh Toner

Wrinkles / Crocodile Skin

• Revitalize your skin and reduce the signs of aging.
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• Reduce darkness under your eyes.
• Promotes elasticity and hydrates your skin.

Presto! Crocodile skin no more!

The makers claim that this cream will improve the skin’s elasticity and firmness; preventing the further appearance of wrinkles. It really seems to be a comprehensive skin care regimen for aging and damaged skin.  The producers of these skin care products believe in what they produce and back it with a 100 percent money back guarantee, within 15 days of purchase.  This gives you plenty of time to see for yourself!

Together with their proprietary blend of the industry’s best anti-aging ingredients the products target major problem areas like sagging skin, uneven skin tone, dryness and rough skin; not just wrinkles. It is a topical product you apply straight to the problem zones.

Aging causes irreversible damage to the body’s proteins.  Aging humans have been found to have less elasticity and hydration of the skin as compared to that of young adults. By promoting an increase in the natural production of collagen and elastin you are promoting healthy, younger looking skin.

Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. –source: Wikipedia.org

The main ingredient used for Revitol anti aging cream is idebenone, a valuable antioxidant that is produced naturally in your body but lesses with age and thereby needs to be replenished.

Idebenone (pronounced eye-deb-eh-known) is an organic compound of the quinone family and promoted commercially as a synthetic analog of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀).                                                                                                               – source: Wikipedia.org

So, if you are fed up of looking like you have crocodile skin – turn back the clock with Revitol anti aging cream which uses a patented blend of natural ingredients to achieve such great results to specifically target the problem aging areas such as skin discoloration, saggy skin, rough and dry skin as well as wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and neck. Act now and see the results for yourself!