Cah-lee-faw-ni-a

Those Left Coasters might be annoying sometimes with their preachiness and ballot initiatives, but they do tend to be ahead of the curve, especially on health issues.

Now, from the people who brought you smoking bans... the Sugar Tax. San Francisco's mayor, Gavin Newsom, is proposing a tax on sugary sodas and warning labels for highly caffeinated drinks (like Red Bull, which is now banned in France and about whose contribution to high blood pressure I have written on this blog).

"Newsom says obesity accounts for tens of millions of dollars in city health care costs. He cites a recent San Francisco Health Department survey that found nearly a quarter of the city's 5th, 7th and 9th graders were overweight and that high sugar drinks make up a tenth of a kid's daily calorie count."

Good Eats

I came across a reference to this article on mental_floss.com. Great website. The Men's Health's article outlines foods that affect your mood. The one of which I took note most was the fact that sushi and other fish are great mood boosters. It got me thinking that I always feel great when I eat sushi or other fish. I have been trying to work more seafood into my diet. Of course, it's easier when you live in a warm climate and don't have to worry about stinking up the house...

MQOTD

I like this. I'm a big proponent of taking pride in every little thing, though this often renders one an anal perfectionist.

"The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams."
— Og Mandino: Author, The Greatest Salesman in the World.

Forget the Spoonful of Sugar AND the Medicine

Honey has now been proven to be better for a kid's cough than cough medicine. Dr. Ian Paul, of Penn State, was prompted to perform the study after finding in an earlier one that a placebo was just as effective as traditional cough medicines containing dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine.

Since it's cheaper and has no side-effects, it'd be pretty silly not to buy honey instead of cough syrup. You don't want people to say you're silly, do you? I know I don't.


From ABC News.com -

"The researchers enrolled 105 children, between ages 2 and 18, in their randomized, partially double-blind study. On the first night of the study, the children received no treatment. Parents then answered questions about their children's sleep and cough, as well as the quality of their own sleep. The second night, the children were given either honey-flavored cough syrup or honey -- or nothing at all. Parents then reanswered the questions in the survey.

Parents whose children received the honey rated their kids' sleep and symptoms as better -- and their own sleep as improved as well.

Healing Powers of Honey

Paul says that the type of honey plays a role in the treatment.

'Darker honeys have more antioxidants than lighter honeys, and we wanted the best chance to see improvements,' he says, noting that lighter honeys would probably also benefit kids. 'At least locally [buckwheat honey] is available. I can get it here at the local supermarket.'

Honey is also generally less expensive than over-the-counter medications, he says, and bring none of the side effects like dizziness or sleepiness."

Stand Up!

This might explain why bus drivers have such big butts.

"Scientists have found intriguing evidence that one major reason so many people are overweight these days may be as close as the seat of their pants. Literally. According to the researchers, most of us sit too much."

Scientists Say Just Standing Up May Be as Important as Exercise

He's No Christian Bale

Bale is, of course, the very fit star of "American Psycho". And he's Welsh. That's where this dude is from.

I knew this was coming, but I am very surprised to see it already -

"New Zealand Bars British Man's 'Fat' Wife"

I'm not sure why "fat" is in quotation marks there. Would they prefer to be referred to, as in the body of the article, as "morbidly obese"?

Shop Around

Newt.org has a clip of a little anecdote delivered by Newt Gingrich, in case you were thinking of some other Newt. He discusses the kind of market efficiency that is potentially attained by employing HSAs with the example of an expensive sleep apnea machine.

It's Retirement Tips from Britney, Bitch

Sorry. That's like the line from her new song. I couldn't help myself.

The Yahoo Finance page has a great article about how important it is to save for retirement. Well, it turns out Britney Spears spends over $700,000 a month, yet she doesn't save a portion of her income.

The article points out that "the overwhelming majority of American 20-somethings aren't saving anything for retirement, either. Research from Vanguard shows that two-thirds of all 25-year-olds who have access to a 401(k) plan aren't contributing." That is really bad.

Consider this -

"Assuming she could scrape by on 70% to 80% of her pre-retirement income in retirement - or about $590,000 a month in today's dollars - Ms. Spears would have to accumulate a nest egg of just over $300 million by age 65."

"Sound daunting? Nah. All she has to do is keep working and put away 8% or so of her monthly $737,000 income until she retires and she'll hit that goal."

Now, translate into normal recent college graduates' incomes -

"A 25-yr old making $30,000 a year, for instance, and putting away the same 8% of his pay into a 401(k) plan annually for the rest of his career is virtually guaranteed a comfortable retirement by time he hits his 60s."

Read the entire article here.

Delicate Genius Alert!

Dr. Scott Haig, an orthopedic surgeon in New York, has written a piece in Time about patients who Google. I have wondered how the abundance of health information on line has impacted the communication between doctor and patient, and here is an inside look. The phenomenon seems to irritate him quite a bit.

Frankly, the doctor comes off as a pompous jerk. He berates the patient for being selfish, but I think most normal people out there can sympathize with a person who is sick or injured. This doctor seems to prefer when patients don't ask too many questions, but on the other hand, ridicules "non-compliant Bozos who won't read anything longer than a headline. They don't want to know what's wrong with them, they don't know what medicines they're taking, they don't even seem to care what kind of operation you're planning to do on them. 'Just get me better, doc,' is all they say."

George Costanza would definitely throw his hands up about this delicate genius.

Red Bull Gives You Vings! (and high blood pressure)

And increased risk of heart disease, if you drink 2 or more energy drinks per day. I'm sure there are some of you out there...

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/88066.php

More Cheddar, Anyone?

Well, the Green Mountain State has done it again. Vermont not only has the best schools, but also the healthiest residents, based on criteria developed by the United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association for its ranking of the 50 states. Half of the top ten are in New England.

Those criteria include, but are not limited to, obesity rates, access to health care, cancer incidence, child poverty, smoking, and heart disease. Southern states, not surprisingly, are the fattest, stupidest, and most likely to smoke. Well shoot, that right thurr is a big surprahs.

Read the article in Forbes right here.

More on the Obesity Epidemic

This comes from an article in Employee Benefit News, that discusses a presentation made by cardiologist James Rippe -

"But since 'obesity is not a reimbursable diagnosis,' Rippe explains, it tends to be significantly under reported as a medical condition. Doctors aren't trained to tell patients that their disease is being fat, so they cite specific diseases that often result from excess weight, such as diabetes, heart disease and muscular-skeletal pain, Rippe explains. "

"In fact, obesity is listed only on 0.3% of claims submitted by physicians, but it causes 40% to 70% of hypertension cases, over 50% of blood lipid problems, over 80% of Type 2 diabetes and almost 100% of metabolic syndrome cases. Over the past decade, the prevalence of obesity has grown by more than 40%, according to Rippe."

Driver's Ed from TMQ

Writer of the wonderful column "Tuesday Morning Quarterback" (TMQ), Gregg Easterbrook, has some excellent advice for young drivers and those responsible for them. I have never liked following or having people follow me in a car. You should get directions and meet at your destination, and not travel by caravan. You should always have a pen and paper in your car, but if you happen not to, just write a text message before leaving, so that a passenger may read the directions to the driver, or the driver can quickly consult them to refresh his or her memory. Here are his thoughts -

Driver's Ed Should Teach Kids Not to Drive in Caravans: People who, like me, live in the Washington, D.C., area were shocked in mid-June when a terrible car crash took the lives of two girls and two young women, all recent graduates of the same high school. People who live in New York state were shocked less than two weeks later when a disturbingly similar terrible car crash took the lives of five girls who were all recent graduates of the same high school. In both cases, the victims were on their way to graduation celebrations -- a beach week and a lakeside week. All the victims were beautiful teenagers or young women, and few events seem sadder than the death of beauty in youth because it is assumed -- whether truly or falsely -- that the world lies at the feet of the young and attractive. Alcohol was a factor in the first crash, an autopsy showing the driver legally intoxicated under Virginia's strict standard for those younger than 21; cell phone use while driving is suspected in the second. The tragedies did have one thing in common, however: In both cases, the crashed cars were traveling at highway speed as a caravan of carloads of friends headed to the same destination, and in both cases, it was the lead car that crashed.

AP Photo/Dan Elliott

Alcohol, drowsiness, cell phone use -- and caravan-driving -- are causes.

Here's a safety rule that ought to be taught in driver's ed: Do not travel in caravans! Caravan driving is more stressful than regular driving, especially for the lead driver, as she must look in her mirrors constantly to see whether the trailing car remains in view. Caravan driving tends to cause lead drivers to take intemperate risks to avoid getting blamed for causing the following car to become lost. And if those in the trailing car are using their phones to provide running commentary to the lead car, another layer of distraction is created. Police found that in the New York tragedy, the driver's cell phone received the text message "what are you doing?"about 30 seconds before the crash; the driver might have been attempting to text back when she lost control. On congested highways, it is nearly impossible for two cars to stay right together with the first driver leading the second. Use MapQuest, use GPS, use good old Rand McNally, agree to meet at a certain place and time -- but don't drive as a caravan! Distraction is a principal cause of crashes by young drivers, and few road situations distract a young driver more than attempting to lead a high-speed caravan.

Clip No More

This is the kind of thing that you think everybody knows about (like having a AAA card), but not everybody does. If you buy something at an online retailer, you should go to a search engine and type, for example, "Toys R Us Online Coupon" or "Borders Coupon". That will direct you to a site such as Q-Pon Central or Coupon Cabin. It might only be a couple of bucks that you save, but why not save a couple bucks?

Cancer and Weight Gain

So, if you're overweight as a child, you're more likely to be overweight as an adult. And if you're overweight as an adult, you're more likely to get cancer, in particular, women are more likely to get breast cancer, according to a recent study by the National Cancer Institute, and outlined in this article in U.S. News and World Report.

"'This is just one more very important piece of evidence demonstrating the importance of weight gain to the development of breast cancer,' said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La."

The article makes an important point in stating that, just because it has become common in our society for people to gain weight as they age, does not mean that it is natural or healthy.

If You Exercise You Know This Already

A new study finds that exercise is basically as effective as medication in treating depression. Plus you're not putting crap in your body. This article is from ThirdAge, a publication for old fogies that I read.

Surprising Cancer News

This seems like fantastic news to me. Cancer death rates, and incidences of cancer in general, have fallen.

"U.S. Cancer Death Rate Continues to Fall"

"According to a new report, cancer death rates fell by 2.1 percent each year from 2002 through 2004 -- almost double the 1.1 percent annual decline recorded between 1993 and 2003."

From the People Who Brought You Yummy Toothpaste

I'm sure Michael Moore would be absolutely shocked to find out the following -

Brits Resort to Pulling Own Teeth

"England has a two-tier dental care system with some dentists offering publicly subsidized treatment through the National Health Service and others performing more expensive private work.

But more than three-quarters of those polled said they had been forced to pay for private treatment because they had been unable to find an NHS dentist. Almost a fifth said they had refused dental treatment because of the cost."

Some used pliers to remove their teeth and others glued broken crowns back in. I had a buddy in college who did that once. The glue thing, that is.

Virgin Money

Richard Branson's Virgin Corporation has acquired Northern Rock. This is another one of those "why didn't I think of that?" products to arrive on the Internet. Loans among friends and relatives are getting some help from technology. Check out Virgin Money.

Change, It Is A-Comin'

From today's New York Times.com -

More Doctors in Texas After Malpractice Caps

"Four years after Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment limiting awards in medical malpractice lawsuits, doctors are responding as supporters predicted, arriving from all parts of the country to swell the ranks of specialists at Texas hospitals and bring professional health care to some long-underserved rural areas."

E. Coli, Again

The whole "solutions" moniker that so many companies have employed in this country has amused me for some time, but this is a new high (low?). Cargill Meat Solutions Corp has just announced another ground beef recall because of e. coli contamination. So, it seems that it would be best to continue to avoid ground beef, to be on the safe side. Meat Solutions? Seriously, is that laugh-out-loud funny or what? Meat Solutions. Ha!

The article I read comes from Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy.

Incidentally, I have "Health and Wealth Solutions for Your Business" as the subtitle for our WhealthWatcher$ presentation materials.

Oh, and if you were to read the entire CIDRAP article, you would discover that there is a beef industry website called "Meatingplace.com". How funny are these beef people?

Frucall

As if it weren't already hard enough for brick and mortar retailers to compete with online merchants, now comes Frucall (for "Frugal Call", I assume). Call 888-DO-FRUCALL (888-363-7822, since the last 2 "l's" are superfluous) and enter a product's ISBN, UPC, or bar code number to get competitors' prices. Or if you're a texter like I am, then you can send one to FRU11 (37811).

I don't know how I feel about the ethics of this, but it is probably just a reality of the modern marketplace. I know that I can only try shoes and sunglasses on in a store, and if I don't buy stuff from those stores, then someday I won't be able to try things on in stores. Makes you think...

Alli is Your Enemy

You may have seen commercials touting the next big thing in weight-loss gimmickry: Alli (pronounced "ally"). I wonder if it will sound as sexy when I put it this way- "Half the power of Xenical with 80% of the side effects." or how about "Not quite as much gas or oily discharge as prescription Xenical"? Because Alli is a lower dosage Xenical that can be sold over-the-counter. It is being marketed along with a program of diet and exercise. Revolutionary!

This article on WebMD explains the drug and program well and contains comments by some of the physicians involved in developing Alli's accompanying program.

This is nice -

"The new drug is not an appetite suppressant. Instead, Alli works by blocking the absorption of fat in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. But the blocked fat has to go somewhere, which is why many a candid commentator has said not to take Alli on a first date or wear white pants while taking it."

NOTE: People are buying it. According to PharmaTimes, analysts project, based on sales of $155 million in the first half of 2007, that sales of Alli could be $1 billion a year.

HealthVault

Does anyone else think it's funny how often we combine words now? HealthVault, UnitedHealthcare, WhealthWatcher$... those are just a few of the prominent names who have done this.

Well, Microsoft has stepped into the fledgling electronic medical records (sometimes called "electronic health records") business. We'll see if this one grows roots. Nothing else has made much of an impact yet. Problems facing the adoption of electronic medical records include privacy concerns of consumers, guarded insurers, and the fact that only about 20% of doctors and hospitals keep electronic records. They're usually just pieces of paper in a folder.

Check out HealthVault and see if it's any good. I'm about to do so myself.

E. Coli is the Topps

Even though most of the tainted beef has likely already been consumed, you might want to avoid ground beef for a little while. Check your freezer as well.

From USA Today -

"The product, mostly preformed patties, was distributed nationwide. The packages have the establishment number 9748 and sell-by dates of Sept. 25, 2007, through Sept. 25, 2008. The plant has halted production, and the investigation continues. A recall list is at www.toppsmeat.com."

Simple Rules of Being Healthy

I have quite the sweet tooth so I have trouble following the second tip, but I thought these were good rules to follow. Please read below:

WHAT YOU CAN DO

A surprising "diet trick" to make belly fat go away is to add a third mantra to the classic "eat less, exercise more" weight-loss formula. To banish belly fat and return to an optimal weight, Dr. Rubman says it's also essential to reduce stress. Though that may be easier said than done, Dr. Rubman says consistent practice of the following strategies can help your spare tire melt.

• Emphasize high-quality, low-glycemic carbohydrates in your diet. The glycemic index is a measure of how fast a carbohydrate raises your blood sugar. To keep blood sugar on an even keel, the majority of carbs you consume should be healthful, low-glycemic ones, such as most fresh veggies and fruits.
• Make sweets only an occasional treat. The goal, of course, is to cut back on high-glycemic carbs. These lead to fluctuating blood sugar levels, which cause food cravings. Avoid these by saying no to candy, cookies and soft drinks, as well as fast foods, processed foods, chips and white bread.
• Monitor food combinations. When hunger strikes, quiet your appetite and boost your energy with a healthful protein/carb combo. For example, try nut butter and whole-wheat crackers... low-fat yogurt and granola... a fruit salad sprinkled with walnuts... or turkey breast, lettuce and tomato tucked into a pita. Protein/carb combinations tend to reduce the impact of high-glycemic index foods by slowing their absorption and thereby reducing the speed at which they're converted to glucose and then fat.
• Exercise, exercise, exercise. Thirty minutes of moderate-intensity exercise three to five times a week can help people lose weight and ward off heart disease and diabetes -- it also keeps stress in check. My personal favorites are biking, skiing (a cross-country ski machine works too) and brisk walking.
• Practice effective stress management. A great diet and regular exercise can be unfairly sidetracked by the high levels of cortisol that accompany ongoing stress, so it, too, needs to be regulated. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga and Tai Chi really do bring results. Personally, I find that just taking short breaks can smooth out my day enormously -- instead of pouring a cup of energy in the form of coffee or tea, I head outdoors for a 10-minute walk in the fresh air and sunshine.

Really, you can think of that spare tire as "excess baggage" you don't need to lug around. In addition to eating right and exercising regularly, anything you can do to reduce stress will lighten your load -- in every way.

Source(s):

Andrew L. Rubman, ND, director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut.

'Ave A Cuppa (but take keh rohf ya teef)

More news on the benefits of tea from British website ThirdAge. They sure know tea over in the UK, but they're not known for their expertise on dental data.

HOWEVER, another article on the same website discusses the "mounting evidence of a link between gum disease and heart disease".

"Don't floss all your teeth; just the ones you want to keep."

-Robert H. Hill, II, D.D.S. (It's also in a Far Side comic.)

Check It, Yo

I was reading TMQ (Gregg Easterbrook), and I was reminded of the important issue of tire pressure. Most drivers do not check this. It's dangerous and causes unnecessary, excess fuel consumption.

Read here on the Car Talk website about how to properly determine your car's recommended tire pressure. Of particular importance is maintaining proper pressure during seasonal changes -

"...if you last had your tire pressure checked in July, when it was 80 degrees outside, and it's now January — and the temperature is minus 20 — your tires may be underinflated by 10 pounds, which is dangerous."

Ooh, What's That Smell?

Anyone who knows me personally knows that I obviously do not wear antiperspirant.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING IMAGE IS GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING -



That was the "C" in YMCA. After seeing that photo on my friend Alanna's digital camera, I stuck with "A".

Well, not only do you have the benefit of grossing out everyone around you at, oh say, a wedding reception in Istanbul, but you also avoid those nasty yellow armpit stains on your lightly-colored shirts, that is, if you avoid using antiperspirant (whose active ingredient is aluminum).

My cousin/godfather has told me for years that aluminum is toxic and contributes to the development of Alzheimer's. He dissuades his friends and family from using even aluminum foil.

Another article in today's Daily Mail suggests that people forgo deodorant use altogether, and that antiperspirants, in particular, have been linked with increased cancer rates, especially that of the breast.

At the risk of alienating my European readers, uh, that might fly over on the stinkier side of the Atlantic, but not here in the land of 2 showers a day. You might want to try out a natural deodorant like one of those crystals. My uncle John uses one of those and I've never noticed a foul smell coming from his direction.

Definitely cut out the antiperspirants, people. Then my sweatiness won't be such a conspicuous problem, er, trait of mine. Did you ever think about how it would affect me? Did you? Plus less cancer and less Alzheimer's are added bonuses.

Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll (Are Bad for Your Health)

There's an article in the UK's Daily Mail about a recent study of famous musicians and the likelihood of their early demise. In the first five years of their newfound fame, they are 3 times as likely as their peers to meet an untimely death.

"The findings come from a study of more than 1,050 American and British musicians who found fame between 1956 and 1999. All featured in the All-Time Top 1,000 Albums list selected in 2000."

"The British team behind the study say the statistics are so shocking that the music industry should be regarded as a 'high-risk' profession."

I'll have to keep that in mind if my friend, Jeff Boden (RidiQlis), ever makes it big and wants me to write him a policy.

Don't Mess Up!

Hey all you doctors, nurses and other hospital staff, listen up. Medicare is no longer going to pay for mistakes (like sponges left inside of patients after surgery). Read about it here in the New York Times.

Private insurers are going to monitor the new policy to see if they can implement something just like it -

"Susan M. Pisano, a spokeswoman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, said, 'Private insurers will take a close look at what Medicare is doing, with an eye to adopting similar policies.'"

"The Bush administration estimates the new policy will save Medicare $20 million a year. But other experts say the savings could be substantially greater."

$20 million might as well be 20 cents when you're talking about government spending. It sounds like this will result in a lot of finger pointing and tons of spending by hospitals, but I suppose time will tell. The statistics for rates of infection and accidents will be released sometime in the future, and we'll see if this initiative has given medical care providers the right incentive to give better, more efficient care.

Phew!

I was beginning to worry about an invisible bruise on the back of my leg. Just today, it has seemed to be moving down my leg, from my lower hamstring, to behind my knee and now to my upper calf. As is my usual course of action, I asked others if they have experienced similar symptoms, and then checked out WebMD.

Relief washed over me in an awesome wave as I read the first paragraph -

"Bruises (contusions)develop when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture, most often from a bump or fall. Blood leaks into tissues under the skin and causes the black-and-blue color. As bruises heal, usually within 2 to 4 weeks, they often turn colors, including purplish black, reddish blue, or yellowish green. Sometimes the area of the bruise spreads down the body in the direction of gravity. A bruise on a leg usually will take longer to heal than a bruise on the face or arms."

One Mississippian, Two Mississippians, No That Was Only One Mississippian

You've likely heard by now that we have an obesity problem in this country. Here's a recent article on the Wall Street Journal website about some news.

Mississippi has achieved the dubious distinction of becoming the first state to have 30% of its residents classified as "obese". To give you an idea of how they measure obesity, an average U.S. male is between 5'8" and 5'9". At 200 lbs. and above, the average male is considered "obese" on the Body Mass Index (BMI). People with a lot of muscle mass can be in that range without being "fat", but it's pretty accurate on the whole.

The following point is sort of like the argument for helmet and seatbelt laws. American spends a lot of money because of the effects of obesity on its citizens.

"Officials at the Trust for America's Health advocate for the government to play a larger role in preventing obesity. People who are overweight are at an increased risk for diabetes, heart problems and other chronic diseases that contribute to greater health care costs."

I made a relevant post just over a year ago, pointing to the staggering figure that 90% of increases in Medicare costs during the study period were due to obesity related illness and disease -

Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The Obesity Epidemic and Medicare

"While increases in [Medicare's] cost have been attributed to causes such as medication costs, hospital and doctors fees, 90 percent of the increases can be attributed to people entering the program with diabetes, metabolic syndrome and other diseases associated with obesity, concluded a report published in the Aug. 22 online issue of Health Affairs."

Read the article on Forbes.com.

From the American Obesity Association:

"Each year, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths in the U.S., and healthcare costs of American adults with obesity amount to approximately $100 billion."

WHO Rated the U.S. Poorly in Health Care Quality? Exactly

I don't know what you think of John Stossel. Some people think he's kind of loony. I am one of those people, but in spite of that, I think he makes good points, backed up by data. He challenges commonly held beliefs, and even though his job is mostly to sell advertising for ABC, he works hard to educate America. He's won 19 Emmys and he went to Princeton.

In a recent piece he wrote for Real Clear Politics (that you may read here), Stossel criticizes the misleading conclusion made by the New York Times in its article about the World Health Organization's (WHO) ranking of wealthy nations and their efficacy in providing quality health care. The Times also points to a recently completed Commonwealth Fund study.

Stossel points to our high rates of transportation fatalities and homicides, as well as poor diet and exercise habits as factors that are not related to care that is administered by our nation's health care providers. He also mentions Rock Hudson as the last prominent case of an American leaving the U.S. for medical care.

Blue in the Face

Even if you aren't a Blue Cross and Blue Shield policy holder, you can benefit from the work that they do across the country. I subscribe to Florida Blue, their email newsletter, and I recently received a quick first aid guide that is good to have in your home. Please click here to view and download the document.

It tells you, briefly and simply, what you should do if someone in your home suffers a broken bone, burns, nosebleed, head injury or is choking. I was surprised to learn that if someone is coughing, then he or she is not actually choking, and you should just let the problem pass.

Don't Take Two of These, Don't Call Me in the Morning

Head of the British Medical Association, Dr. Hamish Meldrum, has caused quite a stir across the pond. Maybe more interesting, however, than the information about the obesity debate that rages on in the UK and the good ol' US of A, is the fact that Hamish Meldrum is a Scottish name. That's incredible!

Anyway, the point is that Dr. Meldrum has come out in opposition to all of the over-medicalization (I guess that's a word in England. Whatever, they invented the language, even if they don't pronounce their r's.) of obesity treatment, and that prevention is clearly the ideal method of lessening that societal problem and the costs associated with it. Duh. We don't need MD's to figure that one out, do we?

Read the article here on "This is London".

I often find the readers' comments sections of online articles to be the most educational part of the experience. That is one of the many reasons that online media are more effective than print. You can't read a newspaper and instantly read how other people around the world are reacting to it. What an age in which we live...

Here is one such comment that I found to be especially poignant, especially given the European perspective it allows us to understand, and the struggle among proponents of healthcare reform, i.e. everyone -

"This is the problem with socialized medicine. Free individuals should have every right to make these "lifestyle choices" assuming any associated risks - including dying early or higher medical expenses. But when government provides healthcare for all, it is going to seek to constrain the rights of individuals in the name of the greater good."

- Jude, london, uk

Holy Cows

From MSNBC.com -

"Obesity is a public health crisis. If the rate of obesity and overweight continues at this pace, by 2015, 75 percent of adults and nearly 24 percent of U.S. children and adolescents will be overweight or obese."

-Dr. Youfa Wang, Johns Hopkins University

For black women, the numbers are even more staggering. 80 percent of those aged 40 and over are overweight, and 50 percent are obese. Yikes.

One of the researchers of the JHU study makes a dire warning at the end of the article in stating that, soon, obesity will be the number one preventable cause of death in the US.

Down the Slippery Slope We Go

If you didn't see this coming, then you're not paying enough attention to the world around you.

Oxford researchers have recently proposed that a 17.5% tax be added to fatty foods, in an effort to reduce heart disease in the UK. Good thing they didn't propose that for the American colonies, or we'd have to kick their asses again, huh? Yeah, that's right England, don't even think about it.

The surprising fact that I learned was that such a tax already exist in Britain (I've now used UK, England, AND Britain! Am I talking about Wales or Scotland in any of this? Who knows?).

From Reuters online -

"The purchase tax is already levied on a small number of products such as potato crisps, ice cream, confectionery and chocolate biscuits, but most food is exempt."

I'm not sure if that was English, but I know what "ice cream" is, unless in England that actually means "milk shake". You get the point though.

"The move could save an estimated 3,200 lives in Britain each year, according to the study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health."

Even though the British Heart Foundation has rejected the proposal, the fact remains that this tax is already in place on other products! In the US and in Great Britain, taxes are used to dissuade all kinds of behavior (drinking, smoking, gas consumption). The thing is, where does it end?

The Battle of the Bulge

You've most likely heard about Michael Moore's latest "documentary", "Sicko". Larry King hosted an interview/debate between Moore and Dr. Sanjay Gupta that took place last night regarding the film, and Dr. Gupta's review of it.

Moore seems unable to have a calm and rational discussion unless it is with someone who doesn't challenge him. You may have noticed this in other interviews. I find it interesting how Moore ridicules Dr. Gupta's Indian heritage, and I wonder if he will be criticized for it. Of course, I've just made fun of Moore's obesity in the title of this post, in case you didn't notice. Please watch as Michael Moore shakes his head throughout the news piece, no matter what Gupta is saying, even when making comments that aren't critical of the movie.

If you have the time, I encourage you to watch all of the clips in their entirety. Both people make valid points, but Gupta puts forth more sanguine arguments, and clearly has a better haircut.

What's Left in Your Wallet?

Some wise words from The Daily Show's Demetri Martin -

Harvard Squash and Happiness

The following list comes from NPR's website. Just today, I heard Diane Rehm interview the Harvard professor who teaches the prestigious university's most popular class, "Positive Psychology".

Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar revealed during the interview that he was a varsity squash player in college, so I was pretty psyched to hear that. I looked him up and it turns out he was national champion in 1995 (he attended Harvard). Not bad.

I have found several references over the years to the idea contained in number 2, and I believe it to be extremely important.

I also think you should listen to NPR if you have any time to do so during your day. You'll learn a lot that you might never have heard about.

Six Tips for Happiness

Advice from Tal Ben-Shahar.

1. Give yourself permission to be human. When we accept emotions -- such as fear, sadness, or anxiety -- as natural, we are more likely to overcome them. Rejecting our emotions, positive or negative, leads to frustration and unhappiness.

2. Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable. When this is not feasible, make sure you have happiness boosters, moments throughout the week that provide you with both pleasure and meaning.

3. Keep in mind that happiness is mostly dependent on our state of mind, not on our status or the state of our bank account. Barring extreme circumstances, our level of well being is determined by what we choose to focus on (the full or the empty part of the glass) and by our interpretation of external events. For example, do we view failure as catastrophic, or do we see it as a learning opportunity?

4. Simplify! We are, generally, too busy, trying to squeeze in more and more activities into less and less time. Quantity influences quality, and we compromise on our happiness by trying to do too much.

5. Remember the mind-body connection. What we do -- or don't do -- with our bodies influences our mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.

6. Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature to a smile.

To Your Health (Revisited)

More news on the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on WebMD.com -

"Drinking three or more alcoholic beverages per week may reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a study shows."

"The study also shows that greater reported alcohol consumption was associated with even lower risks of developing RA. But researchers caution that they are by no means encouraging excessive alcohol consumption."

"The findings were presented here at the annual meeting of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) in Barcelona, Spain."

"While the exact protective mechanism of alcohol is not known, it may act by reducing inflammation, [Henrik Kallberg, a Swedish PhD student] says."

It's Electric, Boogie Woogie, Woogie (Revisited)

I forgot to mention one of the most attractive qualities of an ING Direct Electric Orange checking account, and that is the lack of overdraft fees. In an age when hardly anyone balances his or her checkbook, it is easy to lose track of pending purchases and not have enough money allocated in one's checking account to cover those charges, especially when waiting for a deposit to clear. With Electric Orange, you don't pay a fee if you go into your reserve, which you can set at different intervals. You pay back the amount at a very small interest rate.

It's Electric, Boogie Woogie, Woogie

My brother got me to open an ING Direct (Orange) savings account some time ago. It's an online savings account that earns a high yield (unlike one you would get at your neighborhood bank). The current yield on an Orange savings account is 4.5%. If you'd like to sign up, send me an email and I'll invite you to join (since you'll get $25 for signing up, and I'll get 10, sweet.)

I recently received an invitation to the "ING Savings Summit" in Miami. The CEO of ING Direct, Arkadi Kuhlmann, was there, as was personal finance and debt expert, Jean Chatzky.

I signed up my brother and me and we headed over to the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts to check it out. It seemed like the kind of thing WhealthWatcher$ should be attending.

Once there, we were greeted by friendly, outgoing employees of the company and Arkadi walked around and mingled with anyone willing to talk with him. You can tell that it's a great company from the attitudes of everyone working there.

We were turned on to Electric Orange, the ING Direct online checking account that was just launched, and which pays a 4% yield. Not bad compared to the fees you likely pay Bank of America (by the way, if you do have a B of A checking account, as long as you have a scheduled, automatic deposit each month [it can be just a few dollars], then you don't pay the standard monthly fee).

If you have an Orange Savings account, starting an Electric Orange account is simple and hassle-free. You will be able to pay bills, transfer money instantaneously from your Orange Savings to Electric Orange checking, and have access to any All Point ATM around the country. They have an ATM finder on the site so you can find out where you can withdraw money without paying an exorbitant fee. In Miami, most of the pharmacies have All Point ATMs.

We were surprised at the end of the Savings Summit with a gift of $250 that was just deposited in my Orange Savings account yesterday. One gentleman in the audience went home with a check for $10,000. If you're invited to one of these things, go.

By the way, contrary to popular belief, the song by Marcia Griffiths is called "Electric Boogie" and not "The Electric Slide".

You've Got Gmail

This is from Gmail's "New Features" section on Gmail.com -

"It's a Gmail party and everyone is invited!
You can still invite your friends to enjoy Gmail's spam protection, 2.8 GB free storage and other great features, but now you can also just tell them to visit www.gmail.com and sign up without an invitation."

I highly recommend that you sign up for an account. It takes a little getting used to if you've been an AOL user for most of your email life, but Gmail is intuitive and it's easy to change settings, set up email alerts for topics that interest you, like, oh, say, "WhealthWatcher$".

Don't Call It a Comeback (It's Been Here for Years)

Though people are smoking less these days than before, young adults are the most likely people to smoke. That might surprise you, or it might not.

From today's article on WSJ.com, "The Twentysomething Paradox: We Smoke but We're Not Smokers"-

"According to the CDC, 28% of men and 20.7% of women between ages 18 and 24 reported smoking every day or some days in 2005 -- the highest smoking rate of all age groups. The vast majority of these young adults say they plan to quit in 10 years, according to a CDC survey."

Does the preceding quote apply to your or a friend? Consider this-

"Smokers today smoke fewer cigarettes, says Dr. Matthew McKenna, the director of the office on smoking and health at the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. 'You're going to have many more of these types of folks who smoke on an intermittent basis. The phenomenon has increased between 20% to 25% over the past 10 years. In the past, people were much more likely to say they smoked every day, and that has decreased.' He attributes the difference to changing social norms about smoking, the increased cost of cigarettes and the proliferation of smoking bans in public places."

I found this surprising (and I'm actually a bit skeptical of the point)-

"Whether a person smokes one cigarette a day or seven on Saturday night makes no difference, according to Dr. McKenna, who says the risks of heart and lung disease correlate to the number of cigarettes a person has smoked -- total."

I don't think there are many people who smoke one cigarette every day. I think if you're smoking every day of the week, you're probably smoking a lot more than someone who smokes just when he or she goes out drinking. I also think that your body can probably more easily cope with the toxins when spread out over a longer period than all at one time (like binge drinking versus moderate, regular alcohol consumption). The point, of course, is that you shouldn't smoke at all, so that's what we're supposed to take away from this article.

Thank You for Smoking

Not only is it an hilarious novel by fellow Portsmouth Abbey alumnus Christopher Buckley, but it's what England's NHS (National Health Service) is saying to that nation's smokers. Not only are smokers taxed at exorbitant rates there and in the US, but now they are subject to penalties if they fail to quit during the four weeks prior to undergoing surgery for non-life-threatening conditions. The reason for the new policy is that smokers have been shown to need much longer recovery time than non-smokers.

A quote from an online forum in this article on the Daily Mail website makes a salient point -

"What about drinkers, drug takers, people who eat too much and people who never exercise?"

I'm not sure that I used "salient" correctly just then, but it sounds good. This debate will intensify as personal behavior and lifestyle choices come under increased scrutiny vis-a-vis healthcare costs. The problem is that the line is difficult to draw, as shown in the aforementioned example in England.

Here's another example: Does the exercise benefit that comes with playing in a soccer league outweigh the risks of injury that come with it? Will people start being asked increasingly personal questions about lifestyle? Will EHRs (Electronic Health Records) destroy any shred of privacy that remains in our society? Do you think George Orwell is as smart as I do? Did I use "vis-a-vis" correctly in the preceding paragraph? Where is the accent grave on my keyboard?

All of these are important questions.

It's the State of Health Insurance, Stupid

If you're not old enough to remember the 1992 presidential campaign (when Bill Clinton was elected over the single-term, elder George Bush), then you might be offended by the title of this post. Please don't take it personally, stupid.

The Kaiser Network today posted a comprehensive summary of Barack Obama's recently formulated healthcare proposal. There are links to major news publications about the candidate's proposal, summaries of editorials about it, and even links to radio coverage of the subject. You may draw your own conclusion.

Republicans have been conspicuously silent during the most recent healthcare debate. I look forward to hearing about the plans that will most certainly highlight HSAs and the larger consumer directed market.

He's No Christopher Columbus

This is an African proverb, referenced in Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat, which he saw on the wall of a factory in China-

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up.
It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion
or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up.
It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle
or it will starve to death.
It doesn't matter if you are a lion or a gazelle.
When the sun comes up, you better start running.

I assume it was written in Chinese on that wall.

Bigger is Better

More news on the benefits of breast implants. Is there anything they can't do..?

" Study: Breast Implants Boost Self-Esteem and Sex Drive"

"Of particular interest, [researcher] Figueroa-Haas said, were increases in ratings of sexual desire, with a 78.6 percent increase from initial scores; arousal, which showed an 81 percent increase; and satisfaction, with a 57 percent increase."

Think Again

This one's for my brother, Brendan, and John Stossel. Those guys love this kind of myth-debunking.

MSN Health has a list of things that you probably think are healthy habits, and reasons why they are not. A conspicuous item on the list is the very first; anti-bacterial soap. It kills the weak bacteria and makes strong ones stronger.

Read the entire list here.

Smile

"You can never tell what type of impact you may make on another's life by your actions or lack of action. Sometimes just with a smile on the street to a passing stranger can make a difference we could never imagine."

-Ed Foreman, Congressman, Advisor to 5 US presidents

This is another Motivational Quote of the Day from Nightingale-Conant. It's not the most grammatically consistent statement, but this made me think. Little acts of kindness can have a dramatic effect on the world around us. On the flip side, negativity can spread and hurt more people than just the guy you flipped off while you were driving.

Wealth = Health

How perfect is this?

	"To get rich, never risk your health. For it is the truth that health is the wealth of wealth."
	— Richard Baker: American congressman.

"Health is the wealth of wealth." I really like that.

Oil and Water

This is a tough one for me, since I'd much rather see people buying water than soda, but there is a growing movement against the bottled water phenomenon.

Gina Solomon, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, points out that "people complain about the cost of gasoline", but "no one seems to realize that they are paying for a picture of pretty mountains on the label and a product they could get for free from their own tap." She has a water filter at home and carries a reusable bottle for drinking tap water.

There are tons of reasons not to buy bottled water. Here are some of them on CNNMoney.

MQOTD

"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."
— Dale Carnegie

Healthcare Consumer Tools

It's taking some time, but the resources are becoming available to make decisions and comparisons with respect to healthcare and its costs.

The Tennessee Hospital Association has created a website on which one may generate a report to find out what a typical hospital procedure, such as a cesarean section, would cost at hospitals throughout the state (except for the ones owned by HCA [Hospital Corporation of America], the largest hospital group in the US, which promises to publish pricing information soon).

tnhospitalsinform.com

There is no quality data to compare yet, but Health and Human Services has its own website you can check out.

www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov

Don't Think Fast

People have recently been talking about the lemonade diet; sometimes called the "master cleanse". Beyonce Knowles claims to have lost 20 pounds getting ready for her role in Dreamgirls with the diet, consisting largely of lemonade, maple syrup and cayenne pepper, along with fasting.

Here's an article on WebMD -

"If you weed through all the controversy, you’ll find that most medical experts agree on one thing: fasting is not a healthy weight loss tool. "

And here is a site that goes in depth about a couple of versions of the diet.

Dangers of WiFi

My cousin has been talking about the risks of ubiquitous WiFi for quite some time now. It will be interesting to see the long term effects. Headaches, nausea, and early senility are three possible ones. Click here to see an article on the subject.

1 + 1 = 4

I was recently discussing the fact that a martini probably counts as several drinks, but I think when most people are out drinking, they think "a drink is a drink". Well, a martini is, in fact, more like 2 drinks. So, one martini plus one martini equals four drinks. That explains my wacky arithmetic in the title line, and it also explains the now standard aversion to the old-fashioned "two martini lunch" once popular among businessmen.

One alcoholic drink is the equivalent of a 12-ounce beer (standard can or bottle), a 4-ounce glass of wine, or 1.25 ounces of hard alcohol (a shot). Here is an interesting online resource from Loyola Marymount University that lists the drink-equivalent of some popular drinks among college students and young adults including the Long Island Iced Tea (4 drinks), a cup of keg beer (1 1/3 drinks), and a 40-ounce malt liquor (5 drinks).

If you're drinking Long Islands all night, you are not demonstrating moderation in your behavior.

Retire Rich

In celebration of tax day tomorrow Ben Stein wrote an article on Financial Planning for Men's Health. He outlines 5 steps towards retiring rich.

1) Figure out how much you will need to retire
2) Determine how you'll amass that kind of dough
3) Pick your investments
4) Diversify internationally
5) Forget about it (Colin really likes this one)

Certainly worth the read. Click here.

Are High Deductible Health Plans Discriminatory?

I have held off for a bit on posting any commentary about the recent study by Harvard Medical School researcher Dr. Steffie Woolhandler, who came to this conclusion -

"High-deductible plans punish women for having breasts and uteruses and having babies."

I'm not particularly keen on spreading this message (also Woolhandler)-

"When an employer switches all his employees into a consumer-driven health plan, it's the same as giving all the women a $1,000 pay cut, on average, because women on average have $1,000 more in health costs than men."

I'd like you to come to your own conclusion on this one, but the fact is that women require more routine medical care than men. This comes down to your philosophy on insurance. Does health insurance fall into its own category, or is it like any other type of insurance, where higher risk leads to higher premiums? The upcoming presidential election will shine a spotlight, and we will soon hear some ideas.

Here are two places you can read about the study -

insurancenewsnet.com

msnbc.com

The Most Important Meal of the Day (Revisited)

My brother passed along a great piece about the benefits of eating a good breakfast. It comes from Bottom Line Health and is well worth the read.

Power Breakfast I seem to have a daily fight with my teenage daughter about eating a good breakfast. She goes for the carbs, and I push the protein. However, if you don't like eggs, the remaining standard breakfast fare includes dairy products (allergenic for many) or bacon and other breakfast meats. If breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, shouldn't we select what we eat more carefully? And what exactly are the proven benefits of eating breakfast in the first place? "There's an old saying that goes 'Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper,'" said nutritionist and weight-loss coach Jonny Bowden, CNS. "But most of us do the opposite." According to Bowden, this is exactly the wrong way to eat if we're trying to lose weight. It also works against us if we're trying to keep our energy up during the day and our performance level high. "Remember, you've just completed eight hours without food," he told me. "You're literally breaking a fast. Your body is craving nourishment, and your brain needs glucose to function at its best. Skipping breakfast is one of the worst possible things you can do. You set yourself up for disaster in a number of different ways later in the day." Indeed, the research points that way. Between 35% and 40% of all Americans skip breakfast, and many kids leave for school without it. The implications are dramatic, both physically and mentally (more on that in a moment). "People who skip breakfast are more than four times as likely to be obese than people who eat something in the morning," Bowden informed me. Then there's performance. "Numerous studies over the years have shown that skipping breakfast impacts the behavior and mental performance of school kids," Bowden said. "Kids who eat breakfast have better memory, and higher math and reading scores. And kids who are hungry have a large number of behavior problems, including fighting, stealing, having difficulty with teachers and not acknowledging rules." Additionally, people who eat breakfast are far more likely to get a healthy intake of vitamins and minerals than those who don't. In one study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers found that people who ate a hearty breakfast containing more than one-quarter of their daily calories had a higher intake of essential vitamins and minerals and lower serum cholesterol levels to boot. Sounds weird, doesn't it? Getting adequate and sufficient nutrients when your body needs them is the best way to maintain optimal body function. THE BEST BREAKFAST So what constitutes a good breakfast? Is it the high-carb, low-fat "Breakfast of Champions" that was so in vogue several decades ago? Or is it a plate piled high with meat and bacon minus the bread and potatoes à la "Robert Atkins"? "Higher protein breakfasts translate into a more sustained level of energy throughout the morning and possibly the day," Bowden told me. "Protein fills you up longer, and you're less likely to have midmorning cravings. You're also less likely to overeat at lunch." And higher protein at breakfast may increase metabolism, helping you to maintain a healthy weight. "In one study, a high-protein breakfast increased the metabolism of healthy young women by a shocking 100%," Bowden said. "There are definite advantages to higher protein intakes in the morning," Bowden continued, "but that doesn't mean 10,000 calories of bacon." He recommends that at least one-third of your breakfast come from a lean protein source and the rest from healthy fats and fibrous carbs. "And if you eat eggs, for goodness' sake, don't throw out the yolks," he urged. They're loaded with good nutrition, and may even lower your cholesterol levels, he added. "Moreover, don't be afraid to think outside the box," Bowden advised. He pointed out that in Asia, the traditional Japanese breakfast consists of a small piece of fish (like salmon), some light vegetables and a tiny portion of rice, accompanied by a small bowl of miso soup. "The health benefits of fish and vegetables in the morning are huge," Bowden reported. "And the omega-3s in salmon are terrific for your skin, plus they help regulate mood." If salmon's too much of a stretch for you, Bowden has his own list of favorite breakfasts for more Western palates... Eggs. "I think eggs are one of nature's perfect food sources," he told me. "They are loaded with protein and other nutrients such as phosphatidyl choline for the brain and heart." A Bowden breakfast favorite: Scramble some eggs with spinach and sliced apples in some coconut oil, and season with turmeric and lemon pepper. "It's loaded with protein and nutrients for the eyes, like lutein and zeaxanthin," he explained. "Plus the turmeric is one of nature's great anti-inflammatories." (Note: Bowden strongly recommends free-range eggs -- from hens that had access to the outdoors where they could run around and eat more natural food, which changes the fat content and nutrition of their meat and eggs.) Yogurt that contains active cultures. "One of my favorite quick breakfasts is yogurt with nuts and red or purple grapes," Bowden said. "I always use goat's or sheep's milk yogurt because it's less likely to have hormones in it and has a better nutrient balance. Then I sprinkle on some walnuts or almonds or pecans." Peanut butter and banana sandwich. "If you're someone who can tolerate grains," said Bowden, "buy a good whole-grain bread, preferably sprouted grain, take one slice and make a 'half sandwich' using natural, unsweetened peanut or almond butter, a banana and, if you like, a dollop of yogurt on top." Whey protein shake. "Whey is my favorite protein powder," Bowden told me, because it raises glutathione, the most important antioxidant in the body, and has shown in one study to lower blood pressure by about 5 mmHg. "You can make a nutritious shake using water, whey protein and frozen berries, with a little cranberry or pomegranate juice. Or almond or rice milk. Throw in a handful of raw oats for texture -- it tastes much better than it sounds. Adding a splash of olive oil to the shake will reduce the glycemic index and help the smoothie 'stick' with you a little longer. Experiment. Peanut butter is another great add-in." Homemade muesli or granola. According to Bowden, "Raw foods have a lot to recommend them. They contain enzymes, they haven't been processed, they tend to have fiber and they're loaded with nutrients." Bowden's favorite: "Take some raw oats... soak in a little pomegranate juice... add nuts, berries or sliced apples, and flaked coconut. You can sweeten with xylitol if you need to (though it has been found to cause diarrhea in some), but it's delicious without it. You can also use raw cold-pressed honey or blackstrap molasses if you like." In my house, we actually eat a lot of grilled chicken and soup for breakfast. Even my know-it-all teenager does this when she takes a break from being a teen. Don't be constrained by recent American traditions. As a reformed blueberry muffin eater, I can attest to the fact that chicken feels much better as the day wears on.

That last paragraph is part of the article, and is not my own words. No teenage daughters here, just, you know, so you know.

The Fast Food Diet?

Like it or not, fast food is part of American life. One way I have eaten healthier at fast food restaurants is to seldom order a value meal (one that includes a soda and french fries), though many now allow a substitution of a bottle of water for soda, and fruit instead of fries. Anyway, you'll save money, especially if you stick to the $1 menu that most of these places now have. It does take discipline. I won't deny that.

Stephen Sinatra, M.D. has written a book called The Fast Food Diet, and in it he steers readers toward the healthiest options available at such eateries. Fried foods are a no-no, obviously. Stick to options like junior burgers (do you really need a quarter pound?), grilled chicken sandwiches, chili, any fruit option they might have, baked potatoes (Wendy's has those), and to opt for low-fat and low-calorie dressings (vinaigrette rather than ranch).

"People love fast food because it tastes good and is reasonably priced, and no matter what professionals say, they are going to continue to eat there," says Sinatra. "So why not help them make healthier food choices? … If we empower people to make wiser food choices, it is a step in the right direction toward improved health and weight loss."

You can read an article here on WebMD about the book.

Better Hurry

My brother and I just sent out our tax stuff today, including our respective HSA tax forms (Form 8889). As is typical, rather than making it as easy as possible for their customers, the health insurance companies and HSA banks just tell you that you need to talk to your tax advisor about how to file your HSA contributions (which offset your income taxes).

Both forms are on the IRS website.

The instructions on how to fill the form out are here.

The form itself is here.

Good Eats

One of the toughest parts about eating healthy is the fact that it is extremely difficult to know what the nutritional value is of the foods we prepare and buy. SparkPeople has just introduced a valuable service in SparkRecipes. You can browse member recipes for healthy snacks and meals, or type in a recipe of your own in the Recipe Calculator and find out the fat, cholesterol, sodium and other information. It's really quite something.

www.sparkrecipes.com

The Taxman Returneth (Your Money)

CNNMoney.com has a simple, but good list of constructive uses for you income tax refund. It would probably be better to save the money than to go on vacation to Las Vegas.

401(k) to IRA?

"In general, I think people are better off rolling their 401(k) money into an IRA when leaving a former employer. For one thing, you can open an IRA rollover at virtually any mutual fund or brokerage firm. That gives you access to a lot more investment options than you get in a 401(k)
lineup."

-Walter Updegrave, Senior Editor at Money Magazine

Read the entire article here on CNNMoney.com. This is of particular interest to me as I have just been asked by my former employer to roll over my 401(k) and I'd like to oblige.

Mmm, Chocolate

This chart is from a SparkPeople.com article. It gets a little political, but the idea is that, given all of the good press chocolate has received, there are still some important considerations to be made.

Good for Your Health	Leave it on the Shelf
"70% Dark Chocolate"	"Milk chocolate"
Cocoa butter	Partially hydrogenated oil
Cocoa liquor	Natural or artificial color
Sugar or cane juice	Corn syrup
Dairy-free	Milk, milk fat, or lactose
Cocoa powder	Dutch processed or Alkalized
Thick, tight wrapper	Thin wrapper or exposed to light
Glossy, dark or smooth texture	Blotchy, streaky or rough texture
Fair Trade and Organic	Conventional (no distinction)

Lucky Number 13

WedMD has "13 Healthy Habits to Improve Your Life". You should read them, in detail, but here's the list:

1. Eat Breakfast Every Morning
2. Add Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Your Diet
3. Get Enough Sleep
4. Make Social Connections
5. Exercise for Better Health
6. Practice Good Dental Hygiene
7. Take Up a Hobby
8. Protect Your Skin
9. Snack the Healthy Way
10. Drink Water and Eat Dairy
11. Drink Tea
12. Take a Daily Walk
13. Plan

BMI Hits Life Insurance

You will see more and more of this, and soon. From BusinessWeek.com -

"The Phoenix Cos. is one of the first insurers to offer discounts on life insurance to customers based on their body mass index ratio."

Cancer Prevention

I found this article in Men's Health especially informative for my age group. I hear more and more about inflammation and insulin levels. Apparently these are two of the main factors in aging and disease, cancer and diabetes in particular. Some of the suggestions are intuitive, but others, such as the benefits of small amounts of sun exposure, are not. I was also happy to read the corn with butter recommendation.

You're So Vain. I Bet You Think This Post is About You.

The internet seems to be feeding our appetites for the things we love the most, ourselves! I joked on my own MySpace page that my first "Interest" was myself (though that has been supplanted by my niece and nephew), and I originally had a headline of "Hey Everyone, Look at Me!" but I was apparently only half-kidding. Dale Carnegie, whom I mention regularly, writes in "How to Win Friends and Influence People" that one's name is "the sweetest and most important sound in any language".

The self-esteem movement that began in the 1980s in this country has seemingly turned into a monster. Read the article on MSNBC.

"Narcissism can have benefits, said study co-author W. Keith Campbell of the University of Georgia, suggesting it could be useful in meeting new people 'or auditioning on American Idol'.

"'Unfortunately, narcissism can also have very negative consequences for society, including the breakdown of close relationships with others,' he said.

"The study asserts that narcissists 'are more likely to have romantic relationships that are short-lived, at risk for infidelity, lack emotional warmth, and to exhibit game-playing, dishonesty, and over-controlling and violent behaviors.'"

What's the point, you might ask? Part of being a valuable member of society is the ability to get along with others. How can you live a fulfilling life if all you care about is yourself? If you become self-absorbed, you will lose your ability to empathise with others, and to solve problems and compromise. These societal failings no doubt lead to phenomena such as road rage and a rising divorce rate. A positive effect of the narcissistic trend, though, would hopefully be increased exercise and healthier eating. I am all for that.