Chocolate cravings are hard to resist, especially during the holiday season when chocolate seems to be everywhere, just tempting you to take a bit.
Not to worry. A new study has the answer. Just walk away and keep on walking – fast. They took a group of ‘known’ chocoholics (who usually ate at least two 50 gram bars of chocolate a day) and deprived them of chocolate for three days in an effort to induce the chocolate cravings. The participants were also not allowed to drink coffee or exercise in the two hours prior to the test period.
On test day, one group sat quietly for 15 minutes while the other group spent 15 minutes walking briskly on treadmills.
After this, all participants were given a computerized test (the stressor) and had to unwrapped and handled a chocolate bar that they were not allowed to eat it.
Those who had been walking had significantly less craving for the chocolate as compared to their baseline response before the three day chocolate fast.
They didn’t mention how the other group did, but I’d imagine sitting there with an unwrapped chocolate bar in their hands was pretty torturous.
So remember, whenever that chocolate craving hits these holidays, take a hike.
Just make sure you leave the chocolate bar behind…..
It’s well known that there is a connection between smoking and all sorts of health problems such as lung cancer and emphysema, but did you also know that smoking can mess with your back?
Recent studies such as the one published in the July 2008 "Deutsches Arzteblatt International" have found that smokers (and former smokers) experience chronic back problems more frequently than non-smokers. You can blame nicotine for this, as it restricts the flow of blood to the discs that cushion the spine.
Physicians at the Chicago Institute for Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) are well aware of this connection. Dean Karahalios, spine neurosurgeon at CINN, says that he has “…seen a number of failed spinal fusion procedures that could have been avoided if the patient would have stopped smoking."
There’s a truly eclectic selection of topics in this week’s Monday Sidebar.
To start of with, what do you think about this - a ‘chastity belt’ lingerie fitted with GPS tracking system’. Lingerie maker Lucia Lorio of Brazil says it’s designed for ‘modern, techno-savvy woman’. But feminist are calling it a modern-day slaver and are urging women to boycott the GPS underwear
Meanwhile, Swedish health authorities are causing controversy with their decision to supply free prosthetic penises that are not fully functional to transsexual men. Seems these free prosthetic penises [are] strictly flaccid a situation that some call ridiculous. But the Swedish health authorities have no choice - government regulations prohibit them from using taxpayers money for either products or procedures that might be considered sexual aids.
If this article - The 25 Weirdest Things Eaten By A Human - is anything to go by, Xray technicans see it all. The article exposes some of the more extreme items that people have eaten, from a ‘prisoner who has being held in a cell with wire mesh walls attempted to eat his way out of jail’ to a ‘man in England tried to walk out of a jewelry store with an engagement ring by swallowing it.’
And talking about strange things to eat, what about this collection of foods from around the world…
Grounded Fitness has a Natures Path Organic Giveaway with plenty of healthy snack foods to enjoy. Entries close 20th November. US and Canadian residents only.
Yoga Journal has a Yoga Journal Vegetarian Cruise Sweepstakes running. The prize - an Ocean View cabin for two – valued at $3,150 - on a 7 day escape to the Caribbean aboard the eco-friendly Costa Magica cruise ship. Ends 30th November. US residents only.
And don’t forget Healthbolt’s own giveaway - for a Motorola S9-HD Wireless Headset. There’s still time to enter as the giveaway doesn’t close until 18th November. US residents only.
President-elect Obama made many promises during the election campaign, but to his daughters, the biggest was probably that if he’s elected they would get a dog. A tough call, given that his eldest daughter, Malia, apparently has a ‘dog allergy’.
In his first press conference, Obama seemed to think that all would be okay if they found a ‘hypoallergenic dog’. Sounds like a great plan. But according to medical experts, it’s not all that feasible. In fact, soon after the press conference, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) issued a statement saying “There is no truly ‘hypoallergenic’ dog.”
According to the Academy, there are many misconceptions regarding dog allergies, chief among them being ‘that people are allergic to a dog’s hair, and it is falsely believed that a dog that sheds less will not cause a reaction.’ Not true!
Here’s the truth. The major allergen is a protein found in all dog’s serum and this protein is shed from their skin through sweat, as well as in their saliva and probably is also in their urine. So it’s next to impossible to find an allergy-free dog.
So what’s a President-elect to do? He’s made a promise that will be impossible to back out of.
Dr Corinna Bowser, an allergy and asthma expert from Pennsylvania recommends that the Obama’s do two things before bringing any puppy home: First, dog-sit a friend or neighbors dog to see how Malia’s allergies fare, and second, set some rules about how they’ll plan on handling any allergy issues.
Brower says “”What we tell our patients is draw an imaginary line in the sand. If the child has an ER visit for asthma or needs significantly more medication, or whatever you want to determine as the line, that’s when the dog has to go. And set these rules ahead of time, because then everybody knows that’s when the dog has to go.”
Combine this advice with the AAAAI guidelines list below and the Obama might just be able to pull of his most important campaign promise.
Visit an allergist/immunologist to diagnose the allergy and discuss treatment, which may include maintenance medications or immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Keep the pet out of the allergic person’s bedroom. Animal dander will collect on pillows, leading to worsened symptoms at night and morning.
Bathe the animal weekly to reduce the amount of dander shed at home.
Replace carpeting with hardwood or other solid-surface flooring for easy clean-up.
Vacuuming may not be effective in decreasing allergen levels, but using a HEPA filter and double bags may help.
Wash bedding and clothing in hot water. While animal allergens are not easily removed by high temperatures, these measures may help.
Hands up anyone who, when they are feeling unwell or concerned about a health issue, does a google search?
If you put your hand up, you are in the majority. Seems that these days, instead of heading to the doctor or the local pharmacist, we all head to the internet. It’s quick, convenient, helpful, and apparently, also trackable as a new google tracking tool proves.
Working on the theory that it’s more likely to be a flu outbreak in places where flu-related search terms are currently popular, this tracking tool follows any increased flu-related search terms to determine where in the U.S. flu outbreaks may be occurring. This information is given to the federal government’s CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) agency.
From a medical point of view, sounds like the perfect way for health professionals to keep up with current flu activity level in their own state or city.
But is it also an invasion of a person’s privacy?
If they can track people’s searches for ‘flu symptoms’ and ‘flu treatments’ what’s to stop them from tracking other searches such, say for example ‘AIDS symptoms and treatments’ or ‘SARS symptoms and treatments’?
A company statement says that the Flu Trends Tool can’t be used to identify individual users. But we all know that every single computer connected to the internet has it’s own unique protocol address which does reveal its exact location to Google.
It’s an interesting dilemma and one that, no doubt, will be debated by those concerned with privacy issues.
I mentioned this e-cookbook briefly in one of last month’s The Monday Sidebar.
Since then, I’ve discovered that there is a ‘free teaser version’ of The Testicle Cookbook available, complete with the history of testicle cooking, five recipes and how-to videos. So if anyone’s interested in ‘cooking with balls’, this one’s for you…
Click here to read the sample version of The Testicle Cookbook.
And here if you want to purchase the full version…
Kara-Leah from Prana Flow NZ gives us the low down on how to Squeeze yoga and meditation into a jam-packed day?, saying, “Family, work, & household commitments often make finding a 90-minute slot to practice yoga during the day next to impossible. However - short of getting up at 5am, or re-prioritizing your life to ditch other commitments, there are other ways to regularly practice yoga. After all, home practice is where the deeper rewards of yoga blossom. So don’t let a lack of time scare you off - you CAN make yoga work for you.”
And if you’re having Memory Problems, Alvaro Fernandez from SharpBrains suggests it might be because you are Multi-tasking. Please don’t watch TV while reading this.
Alexandr B.S. from WorlDental looks at Braces For Adults. Never Too Old For Dental Braces, saying, “Many people associated braces with kids and teens. But these great orthodontic tools can help correct bite problems and give you a beautiful, straight smile no matter how old you are.”
Did you see the October 7th episode (see video here) when trainer Jillian Michaels presented Coleen, who was minus a workout partner, with a Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD headset complete with a Motorola Wireless Workout programmed in?
Looks like a pretty nifty tool. Lighter than most sunglasses, the headset is not only stable fitting (a absolute necessity during a workout) but also has a discreet, behind-the-head-wearing style. In fact, if it wasn’t for the the high-definition surround sound music playing, you could easily forget it’s there.
It’s the perfect wireless solution for those on the go. Wherever you are, the Motorola MOTOROKR S9-HD headset will keep you connected to your mp3 (or iPod) and cell phone all at the same time via Bluetooth technology. Never miss a call or a beat ever again.
If the Motorola S9-HD headset sounds like an accessory you could use, then you’re in luck…
Healthbolt has one to give away.
All you have to do is leave a comment below by Tuesday 18th November and the lucky receipent of this great headset will be announced the next day. This one, I’m afraid, is only for US residents.
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In his first press conference, Obama seemed to think that all would be okay if they found a ‘hypoallergenic dog’. Sounds like a great plan. But according to medical experts, it’s not all that feasible. In fact, soon after the press conference, the 
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