Unblock Spiritual Wealth

September 26, 2010

Having visited the Life Enrichment Center, one of the many Flint churches, on numerous occasions, I am thrilled to add my voice to the Center’s positive, uplifting Spiritual message of Divinity within every being.

We don’t hear the term, “Godspeed,” as often as we used to. There was a time when it was commonly said to someone who was taking off on a long, possibly dangerous journey. And, it was often used as a loving sentiment towards the deceased at a funeral.

I used to believe that Godspeed meant “faster than the speed of light” or “at the speed of Spirit.” So, when I heard the minister conclude a memorial service by wishing the newly departed “Godspeed,” I assumed that the pastor was asking God to rush that soul on to its next plane of existence as quickly as possible. But, recently, while looking up another word under “g” in the dictionary, I stumbled upon Godspeed. I discovered that the word originated in Middle English and was taken from the three-word phrase: “God speid you,” which meant, “God prosper you.”

So, a farewell salute of “Godspeed” was actually a wish for the journeyer, whether going across the oceans on a dangerous mission or through the ethers to destinations unknown, to have a prosperous journey. Most of us, of course, would prefer to begin our journey of prosperity on safe terrain, and right here on earth rather than waiting until we land somewhere beyond the “Pearly Gates.” We want an abundance of good in our life, here and now: lots of money, a great career, a terrific relationship, and plenty of physical comforts. We are ready right where we are to let God prosper us!

Is it wrong, especially in these troubled times, for us to desire to improve our individual worldly experience? There are those who believe that the philosophical tincture of “New Thought” is self-centered, that the inspiration for its practice is to obtain a comfortable material lifestyle, and that the ultimate goal of so-called “spiritual enlightenment” is earthly luxury. But, this is not the case…

New Thought is founded on the concept that All Creation is forever One with the Creator and that each and every being is imbued with the richness of Spirit. Life knows what every creature requires and, therefore, knows what we need before we ask. You could say that we come into life “fully loaded” with all the accessories that make us a “luxury model.”

So, how do we discover and experience our spiritual wealth?

Teachings on prosperity and “mental control of conditions” are often misunderstood. Learning to manifest abundant good in our life is not about our getting something for nothing. Certainly there are those who are looking for “secrets” to get-rich-quick, or to get-love-quick, or to get-healed-quick. But, they usually aren’t interested in learning a new way of being, or in obtaining spiritual enlightenment. They are more interested in manipulating the outer world of things than in discovering the richness of the life within them.

A doctor friend of mine, who believes that true wellness for her patients occurs as they take responsibility for the health of their bodies, often suggests to them changes in diet, exercise, and other activities; lifestyle changes that will not only help them with their current physical challenge but will have long-term benefits to their health and well-being. She told me the other day that after giving advice to a patient who was suffering from a painful problem brought on by years of unhealthy living, the patient asked, “Isn’t there just a pill I can take for this?”

Sometimes we approach our mental-emotional-spiritual health the same way. We want pain relief without making the kinds of changes that bring about permanent relief. “Can’t I just pray to win the lottery or that my bills will disappear?” Yes, you can. “Isn’t there some sort of ‘secret’ or ‘mental trick’ to getting the money I want?” Yes, there is. But, the results of such prayers and “mind focus” are often only temporary, and then we’re back in a state of need and want. Why? Because nothing in our life changes permanently until we do…

There is not enough money in all the lotteries combined to buy one bit of spiritual awareness. Prayer and visualization can sometimes improve our physical situation. But, when improvement occurs, it can be fleeting if it is not the result of a permanent change in our thinking, a transformation of our perception, and an alteration in the way we see ourselves and our relationship to the spiritual life within us.

Change comes with a price tag. Impoverished thinking such as intolerance, blame, selfishness, and greed leaves us “spiritually bankrupt” because these things are the antithesis of the richness of Spirit. Bloated self-interest blocks our ability to experience the abundance of our inner life and renders us insatiable in the world. An empty human vessel can’t be filled from the outside in.

We think that having worldly things will make us happy. Isn’t it “happiness,” then, that we’re really seeking? Why not go to the Source of Happiness? Happiness is fulfillment, and the experience of being “full” and “filled” can only come from within.

If we want to experience abundant good in our life, if we desire true prosperity in all the ways that it can express, not only in our finances, but in the richness of our relationships with others, we must pay the price…

The cost to us is the surrendering of our petty grievances, grudges, victimized thinking, excuses, and blame. This is the poverty we carry with us, and these dark, hardened beliefs block our experience of something greater. We don’t “create” prosperity when we let go of limiting thoughts and ideas. Rather, we remove the junk so that we can see the Good that is already present as the fullness of our original state of being, and allow it to flow into our life experience unimpeded by contradiction.

True wealth is a spiritual condition. When we discover the richness inherent in our inner life, the goodies of the world pale in comparison. Material things suddenly become the byproduct of our inner fulfillment rather than the motivating force behind our spiritual quest. Our improved material life becomes the residual effect of our spiritual enrichment, growth, self-discovery, and self-expression, and not the ultimate aim. “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

We unblock our spiritual wealth as we let go of “things on the outside” and turn within to Spirit. It is a journey without distance. Enter in peace. Godspeed! Thank you to Life Enrichment Center, a church Flint MI.

Partially-excerpted from Unlimited Visibility: Lessons and Processes to Improve Your “I” Sight

http://www.flintchurch.org

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Sacramento Chiropractor: Golf Injuries Can Be Averted

December 15, 2009

Sacramento Chiropractor

Injuries are not uncommon with any kind of sport. You can often times avoid getting injured in a particular sport by discovering what injury is inclined to happen, and then do what it takes to avoid it. Unfortunately, sports injuries can’t always be avoided. Consequently, it’s beneficial to be physically fit to make getting injured less predictable, or less traumatic.   The most valuable thing that you can do is to be certain that you have a suitable fitness level before beginning to play a sport, such as golf. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, making sure your joints are mobile and your muscles are limber, warming and stretching your body prior to activity, using proper form and good postures while actively playing, and giving yourself plenty of cool down and relaxation time, you may very well keep your body safe from injury.

It isn’t only amateur golfers who suffer from injuries. It has been approximated that nearly a third of pro golfers playing in the same time frame are playing with injuries. On the brighter side, all-round good health and fitness can lessen how many injuries you may acquire and might possibly deter them totally.

Good body strength in the muscle regions most employed while playing golf is very important. However, it’s important to determine that your spine is in proper alignment and that it has good mobility before you set out to build muscle strength. A successful golf swing hinges on your spine’s ability to adequately move in a rotational fashion. Back injuries are the most common sort of injuries sustained by golfers. To be certain that your spine is in appropriate alignment and there is effectual movement in the vertebrae, see your chiropractor in Sacramento. Chiropractic care can make a big difference in helping you to avert back injury.

It’s time to strengthen once you’re “straightened.” A safe, injury-free day on the green is contingent upon your being prepared for your golf game. You can warm up your muscles and make muscle strain less likely by doing golf stretching and flexibility exercises. Flexibility in all regions of the body can be escalated fairly quickly as the result of full body range of motion (ROM) exercises. Additionally, elastic band conditioning can provide distinct golf range of motion benefits and can build needed energy in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Sports professionals, such as your chiropractor, are including elastic band training in their golf conditioning programs because the bands supply dynamic resistance that regular weight lifting does not supply.

Quite a few golfers suffer from “Golfer’s Elbow” in addition to back injuries. Despite the fact that golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are nearly the same injuries, there is a minute difference between them. Tennis elbow affects the outside of the upper arm whereas golfer’s elbow impinges the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be a reaction to a single extreme action, such as (in golf) hitting the mat at the driving range or hitting a hard fairway surface. Repetitive stress from smaller shocks, though, is more commonly the protagonist. Furthermore, it can happen to those who abruptly begin to play too much golf. As a case in point, if individuals that usually play golf once or twice a month elect to enter into a tournament, they are potentially at risk for contracting the injury.

Golf makes unique demands on our body. Fatigue can be a challenge because the game ordinarily lasts longer than most other sports. Once the body is fatigued, bad posture and impeded coordination often follow. These two factors combined can create an assortment of injuries. In addition, the shoulder muscles are susceptible to injury due to the continuous swinging of the golf clubs. Just as attention should be given to make certain that your muscles are stretched and warmed up before starting your golf game, be sure that you rest your body suitable between games.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, sometimes, a surprising injury connected with golf. But, because it a problem that occurs as the result of repetitive stress, a numerous amount of games of golf played over several months constantly may produce this injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a serious injury creating incapacitation and occasionally needing surgery. However, if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, discovers it at an early stage, chiropractic care and, frequently, the use of a brace will relieve the problem.

Quite a few golfers appear to think that injuries are just an inescapable part of a golfer’s life. Nonetheless, a healthy, mobile spine, judicious preparation, appropriate exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and sustaining a a good fitness level, and reasonable rest and recuperation after your game is over, can help to make injuries a good deal less a part of your golfing experience.

Dr. Yong Kim is a chiropractor in Sacramento with over thirteen years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. His office is located at 1707 Professional Drive, Sacramento, CA 95825. He has special training in the area of sports injuries. Dr Kim is himself an avid health enthusiast. For more information go to his website at http://www.sacramentochiropractor.org

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Santa Clara Chiropractor: "No Pain, No Gain?" Not When It Comes to Aging

November 25, 2009

It probably goes without saying that as we age our body doesn’t feel or respond the same way as it used to when we were younger. It hardly seems right that as our mind appears to improve and become more “inventive,”  our body seems to become less “cooperative.” We’re stiff when we get out of bed; many of the activities we do during the day make us sore in the evening; and, if we’re not cautious, even a movement as simple as turning too fast or reaching down to pick up a dropped piece of paper, can cause our back or some other muscle group to go into spasm. Fortunately, there is help available that can not only slow down the aging process of the body, but help us to avoid some of those problems altogether.

For an example, arthritis. In point of fact, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, conventional medicine doesn’t address this age-related challenge. Why? The answer is that most medical doctors focus only on the symptoms of arthritis. Chiropractic treatment, in contrast, not only helps to relieve the pain of arthritis, without drugs and their side effects, but it addresses the source of the affliction and corrects it.  Chiropractors, like your Santa Clara Chiropractor, have been caring for people suffering from pain caused by arthritis, and other age-related challenges, for over a century.

Repetitive stresses, years of incorrect gait and incorrect posture, and lack of beneficial movement produce degeneration of certain joints over time and create the arthritic changes the body experiences as you get older. Chiropractic adjustments restore motion back into your joints and decrease any vertebral misalignments that may be causing irritation and restriction. In addition to causing arthritic changes in the spine and increasing pain, did you know that misaligned vertebra can also reduce your resistance and immunity? It’s true, and this may be one of the reasons why it may seem that as you get older you develop more health problems and that it often takes longer for you to feel better again. According to studies done on men and women, those who received regular chiropractic care stayed healthier. In fact, you could say that, as you get older, chiropractic treatment is good for what ails you!

When it comes to the health of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors are highly proficient whether it’s the small, growing frame of an infant or the full-grown body of a mature adult.  Your chiropractor is experienced in working with the aging process  of the body and has exceptional observational and diagnostic skills that help in detecting spinal misalignments and joint degeneration. In fact, a chiropractic examination can often reveal some age-related conditions before they’ve begun to create noticeable pain. Furthermore, your Santa Clara Chiropractor can check your posture and observe your gait to ascertain if there are any inappropriate patterns that could generate further arthritic changes.

So, if you have been feeling your age lately, but you’d like to feel a whole lot better, make an appointment with your Santa Clara Chiropractor today!

Dr. David Hoewisch is a chiropractor in Santa Clara, CA with over 25 years of experience helping thousands of patients get out of pain and get their lives back. His office is located at 1221 Lafayette St., Santa Clara, CA, 95050. Dr. Hoewisch has traveled around the world and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. He is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) and learned sign language at an early age. He treats many deaf patients in his clinic. For more information go to his website at http://www.santaclarachiropractor.net

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Tips For Healthy School Lunches

November 21, 2009

School cafeterias are not always known for their tasty, healthy food; however, many children end up buying their lunch in school anyway. A healthy lunch is essential for your child not only for dietary reasons but also because it can provide a solid basis for improved concentration and memory in class, important facets for optimal learning. If you feel a bit confused about what to pack for your child’s lunch, you are not alone.

Children love those processed, pre-packaged lunch kits you can buy in the deli aisle of your supermarket. While it may be easy for you to purchase these kits, they are not a healthy choice because the food inside is full of food dyes, preservatives, sodium, sugar and a variety of chemicals. Chips and snack cakes are additional foods often found in traditional sack lunches kids take to school that are not healthy either.

healthy school lunch

You know what is healthy and what is not but the challenge is getting your kids on board with different way of eating. The best way to integrate healthier lunches for school is to involve them in the food selection process so they feel they are in control. There are no specific rules when it comes to choosing what to put in your child’s lunch but you should ensure that dairy, starch, protein, vegetables and fruit are somehow incorporated. The fun part is doing it in a tasty, creative way.

Protein Lunch Options

Protein helps build lean muscle mass and is an important dietary component for your child’s school lunch. Slice last night’s leftover chicken breast and put it in a pita or wrap. Boil a few eggs for a tasty tuna fish salad sandwich. Turkey breast, salmon and even beans are options.

Starchy Choices

Choose starchy foods that also provide the fiber, vitamins and minerals your child needs for energy. White starchy foods like rice, bread, crackers and pasta simply raise blood sugar and make your child feel lethargic half way through the afternoon. Instead, use whole grain breads, rolls or even tortillas for sandwiches or even salads.

Dairy Items

Dairy is perhaps one of the easiest things to include in your child’s healthy school lunch. String cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese with fruit or even lowfat dip with veggies are great dairy choices. Kids can purchase white milk from the school cafeteria as a drink.

Vegetables and Fruits

Kids love dipping their food so why not mix a batch of vegetable and fruit dip for the week? When you use yogurt as your base instead of mayonnaise or sour cream, you not only add a dairy component, it is also healthier than pre-made versions. Carrot sticks, celery, peppers, cucumbers and grape tomatoes are popular vegetables dippers. Grapes, orange slices, apples and bananas are small and portable enough for lunch. Bypass dried fruit, fruit roll-ups or fruit gummies as they tend to be high in sugar and have little nutritional value.

If your child does not purchase milk from the cafeteria, bottled water or natural 100% fruit juice are healthy options for their lunch. If you have plenty of healthy foods for your children to choose from, you can rest assured they will always have a healthy lunch. Chances are their newfound healthy choices will also work their way into other areas of life as well.

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Hip Condition Can Lead to Arthritis

November 20, 2009

femoralIncreasingly, younger men are experiencing aches and pains which were primarily associated with old age. Physicians at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Health Center say “young” arthritis is a mounting health concern.

Hip conditions are often attributed to anatomical abnormalities that begin early in life or result from overuse through repetitive motion, as seen in baseball. Femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI), also known as hip impingement, occurs when there is a change in the bony form of the hip joint, resulting in decreased range of motion and pain. Simply put, it is too much friction in the hip joint. It is not uncommon for doctors to misdiagnose hip impingements and dysplasias as growing pains.

But due to recent improved understanding of hip abnormalities, along with advances in diagnostic imaging techniques and minimally invasive surgery, many patients are given new hope for relieving chronic, misdiagnosed hip pain.

“This is a relatively new diagnosis or a new evolution of arthritis that we didn’t know occurred, “ said Dr. Michael Meneghini, an orthopedic surgeon at UCONN Health Center. “And we’re now recognizing arthritis years before it happens in a pre-arthritic state if you will.“

Dr. Meneghini said he’s seeing men in their early twenties come in with symptoms. “The patients will present with pain some times flexing their hip—sometimes going up and down stairs—sometimes squatting down playing with their kids. Those kinds of activities they’ll notice they’ll get pain in their groin or pain in the outside of their hip.“

Unfortunately, a young patient with persistent hip pain who is not properly diagnosed and treated may face early arthritis and eventually require a total hip replacement.

However, new options have been identified by hip specialists to slow or reverse the progression of degenerative hip disease. This results in their patients returning to their normal activities and, in some cases, reducing the need for more extensive surgeries.

“In the past few years, the understanding of hip structural abnormalities has increased, allowing specialists to better identify underlying hip conditions that previously went unrecognized and to more accurately diagnose hip problems,” said Douglas E. Padgett, M.D., chief of the Hip Service and co-director of the newly formed Center for Hip Pain and Preservation at Hospital for Special Surgery. “Health insurance companies also now readily recognize the value of hip preservation procedures and, depending on one’s coverage, reimburse their cost.

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3 Different Nutritional Needs in Men and Women

November 18, 2009

Men and women have different body types and biological needs so it stands to reason that their dietary requirements for the best health possible would be different too. Women tend to have a preoccupation with their diet and losing weight so there are far more resources for them to tap in regards to nutrition but men also need resources that recognize their dietary differences and how they compare to women.

There are specific health concerns that are more bothersome for men than women and vice versa. Women are more prone to breast cancer and osteoporosis, although men can get them too. Along these lines, men may develop prostate trouble whereas women obviously wouldn’t because they do not have the same sexual organs. Gender differences often can mean differences in health and diet issues.

nutritional needs

3 Common Nutritional Needs

Here are 3 important nutritional needs and how they are different in men and women:

1. Iron – This mineral is vital to blood health in general and when you do not get enough through food and supplements, you can develop anemia. Anemia fosters fatigue, inhibits memory and disrupts the ability to concentrate successfully. Women are more likely to have lower iron levels in their blood. Iron supplements are sometimes necessary for women or even boosting intake of green leafy vegetables like spinach.

Hormones and menstruation are the two main reasons why some women struggle with maintaining sufficient iron levels. While men do have anemia problems, it is not as prevalent because they do not need as much iron as women do. Up until the mid-teen’s, both boys and girls have similar iron requirements – about 7 to 11 milligrams a day. From mid-teen’s to middle age, females require 15 to 18 milligrams of iron a day while males need about 8 to 11 milligrams. During pregnancy, women need almost twice the amount of iron – up to 28 milligrams for normal fetal development.

2. Fiber – Fiber is important for digestive health, serving as a natural “scrub brush” for the intestines. As fiber digests and passes through the intestines, it serves as scrubber, removing bits of undigested food as well as fat and cholesterol. Hemorrhoids are a common problem for both men and women who do not get enough fiber in their diets.

Because men are typically larger than women and more vulnerable to particular diseases, they require more fiber to stay regular. Men also need more calories than women generally so they must eat more to get the energy they need to get through the day. Typical fiber requirements are 35 to 50 grams for men and 20 to 25 grams for women, depending on physical fitness levels and age.

3. Calcium – The building block for healthy, strong bones, calcium is essential also for maintaining blood pressure. Both men and women require calcium, although women do need a bit more than men. Osteoporosis risk is quite high for women, thus the reason why they need more in their diets, both through food and supplements. When diet alone cannot provide enough calcium, women should take supplements to avoid the risk of slow healing for broken bones and for a healthy heart.

When men get too much calcium in their diet, they are prone to prostate cancer so typically supplements are not needed. Up until about age 25, both men and women need about 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium a day. After that, unless a woman is in menopause, pregnant or breastfeeding, women need about 1,200 milligrams a day while men only need about 1,000 milligrams daily. Pregnant and menopausal women should average 1,500 milligrams a day.

Fiber, calcium and iron are just a few of many nutrients that can greatly differ in requirements for men and women. The best thing you can do to ensure you are getting the proper level of nutrients is to have blood tests each year with your annual physical. Simple dietary changes can make a huge difference in your health.

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Paying someone to make me sore? It's worth every penny

November 17, 2009

via The Fitness Center by Audrea Huff on 11/16/09

Boxjump My left calf stings a little with each step, and the muscles on the front of my shoulders refuse to let me reach behind my head.

But I love it.

I’m still sore from my workout from two days ago, a session with my personal trainer. The sessions have been a mix of weights and plyometrics training, designed to increase speed, power and agility (picture at left is a girl performing a box jump, one of the exercises I do).

He’s been careful never to push me so hard that I start to feel ill, which I respect. I’ve had trainers who operated with the philosophy that their job was to get me sick. That’s a good way to lose me as a client. I expect the workouts to make me sore, not make me pay.

I’ve been working with this new trainer once a week for about six weeks, and I’m just starting to see some results in my arms and shoulders.

Paying someone to make me sore? Absolutely. It’s worth every penny.

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Homeopathy And The Law Of Healing

November 16, 2009

homeopathy1Homeopathy is a form of holistic healing. It believes not in treating symptoms but in treating the individual as a whole.

Homeopathy aims to deal with the actual cause of a disease and not just the outward symptoms.

Homeopathy believes in the natural law of healing. This states that healing occurs from inside to outside, from the important organs to less important organs and from the top to the bottom. Simply put, it means that unless the person is treated from the inside a disease or an ailment cannot be cured.

Just because the outward symptoms of a disease have been cured it does not mean that the disease has been cured. It is like trying to remove a weed by stripping its leaves. The leaves will simply come back.

Only when the weed is pulled out from its roots, can it be eliminated permanently. Once the roots of a disease or ailment are healed or removed, one can expect to be permanently cured.

Homeopathy does not aim at treating the ailment or the disease. It believes in trying to bring about a balance in the forces inside the body. A balanced body will heal itself faster and better.

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Fruit juice: Soda in disguise?

November 12, 2009
I’ve always thought of fruit juice as a “safe” alternative to water — all natural, and full of nutrients.

But I didn’t realize there was an entire movement out there by researchers to dispel that widely-accepted belief.

“[Juice] is pretty much the same as sugar water. … There’s no need for any juice at all,” a researcher says in this story. Read on:

By Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times

Juice To many people, it’s a health food. To others, it’s simply soda in disguise.

That virtuous glass of juice is feeling the squeeze as doctors, scientists and public health authorities step up their efforts to reduce the nation’s girth.

It’s an awkward issue for the schools that peddle juice in their cafeterias and vending machines. It’s uncomfortable for advocates of a junk food tax, who say they can’t afford to target juice and alienate its legions of fans. It’s confusing for consumers who think they’re doing something good when they chug their morning OJ, sip a 22-ounce smoothie or pack a box of apple juice in their child’s lunch.

The inconvenient truth is that 100 percent fruit juice poses the same obesity-related health risks as Coke, Pepsi and other widely vilified beverages.

With so much focus on the outsized role that sugary drinks play in the country’s collective weight gain — and the accompanying rise in conditions including diabetes, heart disease and cancer — it’s time juice lost its wholesome image, some experts say.

“It’s pretty much the same as sugar water,” said Dr. Charles Billington, an appetite researcher at the University of Minnesota. In the modern diet, he said, “There’s no need for any juice at all.”

A glass of juice concentrates all the sugar from multiple pieces of fruit. Ounce per ounce, it contains more calories than soda, although it tends to be consumed in smaller servings. A cup of orange juice has 112 calories, apple juice has 114 and grape juice packs 152, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The same amount of Coke has 97 calories, and Pepsi has 100.

And just like soft drinks, juice is rich in fructose — the simple sugar that does the most to make food sweet.

University of California, Davis scientist Kimber Stanhope has found that consuming high levels of fructose increases risk factors for heart disease and Type 2 diabetes because it is converted into fat by the liver more readily than glucose. Her studies suggest that it doesn’t matter whether the fructose comes from soda or juice.

“Both are going to promote equal weight gain,” she said, adding that she’s perplexed by the fixation on the evils of sugar-sweetened beverages: “Why are they the only culprit?”

Juice is a relatively recent addition to the human diet. For thousands of years, people ate fruit and drank mostly water.

But in the early 1900s, citrus growers in Florida were harvesting more oranges than they could sell. Then they had an epiphany: Promote juice.

“You consume more oranges if you drink them than if you eat them whole,” said Alissa Hamilton, author of the book “Squeezed: What You Don’t Know About Orange Juice.”

The U.S. Army was instrumental in turning orange juice into a commercial product.

It originally served a powdered lemonade to ensure soldiers got enough vitamin C, but it tasted “like battery acid,” Hamilton said. So, during World War II, the Army commissioned scientists to invent a system for freezing OJ in a concentrated form. The patent wound up with Minute Maid, which sold cans of frozen juice concentrate in grocery stores.

Body builder Jack LaLanne and other health gurus touted juice as a natural medicine, and decades of advertising helped secure its place at the breakfast table. Today, about half of all Americans consume juice regularly, according to NPD Group, a market research outfit.

The Juice Products Association emphasizes the value of the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients in juice — especially when so many American eat so little fresh produce.

“If someone can add a glass of fruit juice at breakfast, that’s an important addition to the diet,” said Sarah Wally, a dietitian for the trade group.

But scientists increasingly are questioning whether the benefits outweigh the sugar and calories that come with them. “The upside of juice consumption is so infinitesimal compared to the downside that we shouldn’t even be having this discussion,” said Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco.

Several researchers have linked juice to more healthful diets and lower weights. But many experts say the data simply reflect a correlation between juice and healthful diets.

“Kids who drink more juice are more likely to be eating breakfast, and kids who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than kids who don’t,” said Kelly Brownell, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University.

“Having apple juice and eating an apple are not the same,” said Billington, the University of Minnesota appetite researcher.

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Antibiotic overuse threatens modern medicine: experts

November 10, 2009
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By Kate Kelland

LONDON (Reuters) – Overuse of antibiotics in Europe is building widespread resistance and threatening to halt vital medical treatments such as hip replacements, intensive care for premature babies and cancer therapies, health experts say.

Dominique Monnet of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control's (ECDC) scientific advice unit said the "whole span of modern medicine" is under threat because bugs are become resistant to antibiotics, rendering the drugs useless.

"If this wave of antibiotic resistance gets over us, we will not be able to do organ transplants, hip replacements, cancer chemotherapy, intensive care and neonatal care for premature babies," he told reporters at a briefing.

Antibiotics are needed in all these treatments to prevent bacterial infection. But drug-resistant bacteria are a growing problem in hospitals worldwide, marked by the rise of superbugs such as methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus (MRSA).

Such infections kill about 25,000 people a year in Europe and around 19,000 in the United States. On top of the risks to future treatments, Monnet said the costs of antibiotic resistance were already hurting — and may hit healthcare budgets across the European Union yet harder if the problem is not addressed.

The six most common multi-drug-resistant bacteria — often referred to as superbugs — cause around 400,000 infections a year in Europe, killing around 25,000 people and using 2.5 million hospital days a year.

The ECDC, which monitors and advises on disease in EU, calculates that with a hospital day costing an average of 366 euros ($548), superbug infections are already sucking up 900 million euros a year in extra hospital costs, and a further 600 million euros a year in lost productivity.

"Across the European Union the number of patients infected by resistant bacteria is increasing and that antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health," the ECDC said.

Britain's government was criticized by a parliamentary committee on Tuesday for failing to tackle the majority of hospital-acquired infections by narrowing its focus to two high profile ones — MRSA and Clostridium difficult.

The ECDC is planning an "antibiotic awareness" campaign on November 18 to urge doctors to stop overprescribing antibiotics.

Patients demanding antibiotics for viral infections often are not aware that they will not work, it said, but doctors are and should stop giving in to pressure.

Sarah Earnshaw of the ECDC's communications unit, pointed to a 2002 survey that showed 60 percent of patients do not know that antibiotics do not work against viruses like flu and colds.

"Patients often demand antibiotics," she said. And doctors often think, she said, that giving in is a quicker way to deal with demanding patients than persuading them otherwise.

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