Studies suggest that exercise may largely influence healthy brain function. Previous research has shown that exercise can counter dementia in senior citizens, but a recent study involving teenagers shows that physical activity can benefit the brain at any age. Read more.
It’s the start of a new year and a new decade and it’s the perfect time to resolve to get healthy. Walking just 30 minutes a day, quitting smoking, eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grain and reducing the amount of red meat in your diet are just a few simple things you can do to get started. Here are a few tips for keeping your resolutions.
Photo by: Georgy
The Louisiana Community AIDS Partnership, in collaboration with the National AIDS Fund, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and local funding partners announce the availability of up to $115,000 in grant funding to strengthen organizational or programmatic infrastructure and policy and advocacy as they relate to HIV/AIDS issues across Louisiana. Deadline for submission is January 11, 2010, 4 p.m. CST. Download the full application instructions.
Many school districts throughout the state have partnered with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Department of Health and Hospitals to take part in the state’s H1N1 flu vaccination campaign. In the coming weeks, students will be offered shot and nasal spray forms of H1N1 flu vaccines at no cost through school-based and/or community based vaccination events. Participating schools and school districts are responsible for scheduling their school-based H1N1 vaccination events. Updates naming schools that will participate in the vaccination campaign will be released later this week. Get more details.
Many toys can pose serious safety risks to children. The child safety and consumer advocacy group, World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.), recommends that parents and gift givers steer clear of the products on its annual “10 Worst Toys” list this holiday season. Some of the popular toys on the list may surprise you.
The government and the window covering industry have recalled more than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds because the cords pose a strangulation risk for children. Consumers are advised to remove all Roman shades immediately and to make sure other shades and blinds with cords are out of reach of children. Click here for detailed instructions or contact the Window Covering Safety Council toll-free at 1-800-506-4636.
Author and nutrition researcher, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, is on a mission to redefine what many of us have been taught about “good nutrition.” In his book, The China Study, Dr. Campbell seeks to prove, through evidence-based research, that people who eat the most animal-based foods tend to get the most chronic diseases, and people who eat the most plant-based foods are healthier and tend to avoid chronic diseases. Learn more about the book and the underlying study. Also, get tips from the USDA on how to add more veggies to your diet.
Think that bag of popcorn and soda at the movies is just a snack? Think again. A recent report released by The Center for Science in the Public Interest reveals that consuming a medium-sized popcorn and soda at the movies is similar to eating all of the calories and saturated fat found in three McDonald’s Quarter Pounders…plus 12 pats of butter. Yuck! Learn more.
Slim-Fast has issued a massive recall of all Ready to Drink (RTD) cans due to the possibility of contamination with Bacillus cereus, a microorganism which can cause diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting. Consumers who have purchased Slim-Fast RTD products in cans are urged to discard them immediately and contact the company at 1-800-896-9479 for a full refund. Get more details.
If you dread trips to the gym, but want to exercise nonetheless, try having some fun that gets you physically active instead. Here’s a list of things you can do to get some exercise and get you out of that workout rut. Photo from: Clipart.com
John Mellencamp’s 14-year-old son recently started a campaign on Facebook to help his rocker dad quit smoking. Mellencamp promised his son he would quit if he gets 1 million people to join the Facebook group, 1,000,000 to join, my dad john mellencamp will quit smoking. For tobacco users in Louisiana looking for inspiration to quit, www.QuitWithUsLa.org offers resources to help people quit on their own and other resources including free counseling assistance provided through 1-800-QUIT-NOW. It’s clear that being smoke-free rocks. So, if you’re a musician or music lover in Louisiana, who supports smoke-free bar and club policies, check out www.LetsBeTotallyClear.org.
According to a new study, women who consume sugary soft drinks prior to conception face an increased risk of gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The study, which monitored thousands of women over the course of ten years, also found that that their children also face an increased risk of early onset diabetes, childhood obesity and glucose intolerance. Read why. Photo from: Comstock