So, we all know that your cell phone operates through microwaves--- energy waves that pass through the sky, through the building, the car, even your
body.
But what we haven't been able to know is the health impact of those microwaves that bathe your cells every second of every day. Especially, we have worried about the effect of those waves on the delicate tissues of the marvelous wetware device, called the human brain.
Yep, your brain. It's where your mind lives. And you are issued only one
brain, per lifetime.
So many studies are underway to determine the effects, and one has just come
in--- a new study in the Journal of American Medical Association.
The good news first--- the new research didn't find a link between cell
phone exposure and brain cancer. But wait--- the study also doesn't prove
that the two aren't correlated.
Now the bad news--- cell phone calls, especially longer calls, definitely increase your brain activity.
Brain activity means that brain cells are using glucose to create energy.
Your brain normally produces the amount of glucose it needs.
Does this new research mean that stimulation by cell phone radiation damages
our brains? So far, we can't be totally sure. But we do know that drug
stimuli, like amphetamines, which speed up the brain, does great harm.
Nobody disputes that fact.
In the study, subjects had 'significantly higher' brain activity--- in the brain area closest to the telephone antenna!
Experts worry about neural changes in neurotransmitter release, cell membrane permeability, cell excitability, or calcium efflux.
Hey, we love our cell phones. What would life be without them?
But maybe the question should be--- what is their effect on life, especially on your precious brain, when the device is held right next to it?
For now, you can limit cell phone radiation exposure. Use your speakerphone or a wired earpiece to make your calls.
Just don't 'crank' up your brain activity with forced long-exposure cell phone radiation.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Preventive Health Care - Your Child's Road to Success!
Every parent wants their child to have a good life. A successful life. A healthy and long life.
And yet many well-meaning parents do little (or nothing) to prevent life-crippling diseases.
That's right--- prevent. We are talking about creating habits that will sustain health through a lifespan. Teaching kids to live in a way that will save them years of pain and disability.
Children with healthy habits have a huge advantage in life.
Kids who are taught to eat well, work well, play well, study well, these are the children who have the best chance to live well.
We know that childhood diabetes and heart disease--- the consequences of obesity and inactivity--- suddenly a terrible problem worldwide.
For the first time, young adults aged 15-30 are suffering more strokes and coronary events that adult over the age of 50!
How could it be more obvious that normal weight, normal exercise, balanced nutrition--- all have an enormous impact on quality of life?
Professional preventative health care is also one of the most important tasks of good parenting. Illness is not the only time your kids should visit a doctor.
Take your children for regular preventive health care doctor's visits. Keep up with immunizations and dental care, and weight, and overall fitness.
Preventive health care visits helps your child's doctor monitor growth and development. Those visits are a perfect time to discuss safety issues and receive health counseling. Plus, you should cover any concerns regarding their child.
Infants and small kids can't tell you if something is wrong. That's another great reason to schedule regular check-ups.
Remember, parents--- your child is headed toward puberty, and needs advice on healthy reactions, encouragement to exercise, on potential feelings of depression, and you need to know how to discuss drugs, alcohol, and (yikes!) sexual issues.
Howe often should you take your child to preventive exams?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following schedule for preventive childhood health care visits:
• Infancy: Newborn, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
• Early Childhood: 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 3 years, 4 years
• Middle Childhood: 5 years, 6 years, 8 years, 10 years
• Adolescence: Yearly from age 11 to age 21
Remember, parents--- healthy young people will have greater energy, mental clarity, and their time won't be decimated by all the handicaps of disabilities.
They will become the future leaders of their world, and of yours. Invest in their future health, now!
And yet many well-meaning parents do little (or nothing) to prevent life-crippling diseases.
That's right--- prevent. We are talking about creating habits that will sustain health through a lifespan. Teaching kids to live in a way that will save them years of pain and disability.
Children with healthy habits have a huge advantage in life.
Kids who are taught to eat well, work well, play well, study well, these are the children who have the best chance to live well.
We know that childhood diabetes and heart disease--- the consequences of obesity and inactivity--- suddenly a terrible problem worldwide.
For the first time, young adults aged 15-30 are suffering more strokes and coronary events that adult over the age of 50!
How could it be more obvious that normal weight, normal exercise, balanced nutrition--- all have an enormous impact on quality of life?
Professional preventative health care is also one of the most important tasks of good parenting. Illness is not the only time your kids should visit a doctor.
Take your children for regular preventive health care doctor's visits. Keep up with immunizations and dental care, and weight, and overall fitness.
Preventive health care visits helps your child's doctor monitor growth and development. Those visits are a perfect time to discuss safety issues and receive health counseling. Plus, you should cover any concerns regarding their child.
Infants and small kids can't tell you if something is wrong. That's another great reason to schedule regular check-ups.
Remember, parents--- your child is headed toward puberty, and needs advice on healthy reactions, encouragement to exercise, on potential feelings of depression, and you need to know how to discuss drugs, alcohol, and (yikes!) sexual issues.
Howe often should you take your child to preventive exams?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following schedule for preventive childhood health care visits:
• Infancy: Newborn, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
• Early Childhood: 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 3 years, 4 years
• Middle Childhood: 5 years, 6 years, 8 years, 10 years
• Adolescence: Yearly from age 11 to age 21
Remember, parents--- healthy young people will have greater energy, mental clarity, and their time won't be decimated by all the handicaps of disabilities.
They will become the future leaders of their world, and of yours. Invest in their future health, now!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Plastic Packaging Dangers and Your Infant
US Federal health officials have committed $30 million, to point up the health risks associated with bisphenol A (BPA).
BPA? Yes, it's so common you have no idea how much of it you've already consumed.
The chemical has long been utilized as a plastic softener to form pliable baby bottles, cups, and plastic packaging. And several scientists have raised serious questions about its safety over the years.
BPA, studies show, can mimic the action of female reproductive hormones. It is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and liver abnormalities.
Infants' exposure is a particular concern--- little ones are often much more sensitive to toxic effects than are adults.
William Corr--- US deputy secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)--- says his health agency wants "short- and longer-term studies" of BPA, concerned especially for its use in infant food containers.
Corr also announced plans to form an interagency task force. It will take on the general topic of children's environmental health risks, he said.
HHS has posted an FDA list of manufacturers, who say they are no longer using BPA BPA in baby bottles and infant feeding cups (manufactured since January 2009).
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences director, Linda Birnbaum, PhD, says that $15 million in economic stimulus money is now earmarked for BPA studies. That doubles the $15 million set out in the agency's existing research.
This BPA study comes none too soon. And it may already be having a positive impact on children's health--- before it even begins.
Some of the companies (that say they no longer use BPA in US markets) include Avent, Doctor Brown's Natural Flow, Evenflow, First Essentials, Gerber, Munchkin, Nuk, and Playtex.
So what about the rest of the world? BPA anyone?
BPA? Yes, it's so common you have no idea how much of it you've already consumed.
The chemical has long been utilized as a plastic softener to form pliable baby bottles, cups, and plastic packaging. And several scientists have raised serious questions about its safety over the years.
BPA, studies show, can mimic the action of female reproductive hormones. It is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and liver abnormalities.
Infants' exposure is a particular concern--- little ones are often much more sensitive to toxic effects than are adults.
William Corr--- US deputy secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)--- says his health agency wants "short- and longer-term studies" of BPA, concerned especially for its use in infant food containers.
Corr also announced plans to form an interagency task force. It will take on the general topic of children's environmental health risks, he said.
HHS has posted an FDA list of manufacturers, who say they are no longer using BPA BPA in baby bottles and infant feeding cups (manufactured since January 2009).
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences director, Linda Birnbaum, PhD, says that $15 million in economic stimulus money is now earmarked for BPA studies. That doubles the $15 million set out in the agency's existing research.
This BPA study comes none too soon. And it may already be having a positive impact on children's health--- before it even begins.
Some of the companies (that say they no longer use BPA in US markets) include Avent, Doctor Brown's Natural Flow, Evenflow, First Essentials, Gerber, Munchkin, Nuk, and Playtex.
So what about the rest of the world? BPA anyone?
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