While everyone struggles keeping to their diets (even those who don’t appear to suffer), a recent study conducted in Italy found that people who are better informed have an easier time sticking to their diets. While I can’t see the correlation between keeping informed and keeping a diet, what can it hurt to be better informed of what is happening in the world.

“Basically, watching TV is often linked to physical inactivity and snacking, with negative effects on obesity, a major cardiovascular risk factor. In our study we paid attention to the capacity of people to get informed by using mass media, including the Internet and newspapers or magazines. We sought to see whether most informed people had better eating habits than those less exposed to information. Our study has however provided data which may turn out to be very useful in a period in which to combat obesity increase, unhealthy dietary habits and diffused laziness we are urged to find new ways to communicate health. We should stop being suspicious of mass media.”

Learn More Here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/240290.php

Dr. Alan Weidner
Have you seen the Inada Yume Massage Chair?

In 2009 indoor tanning beds were officially labled as a carcinogen, topping the list with cigarettes and asbestos. Despite this label, the evidence that tanning beds can cause skin cancer is actually quite inconsistent. However, a recent study of 400 people (dating back from 2006) showed that people who used tanning beds were 69% more likely to get skin cancer than those who didn’t use the tanning beds. Before you work on your golden tan, you may want to consider all your options.

“Indeed, the evidence linking indoor tanning with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma, one of the more common forms of the disease, is “convincing,” according to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. But the research concerning tanning beds and basal cell carcinoma, the third and most frequent major type of skin cancer — which accounts for some 80% of all skin cancer cases in the U.S. — has thus far been inconsistent.”

Learn More Here: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/time/20120112/hl_time/httphealthlandtimecom20111213studyindoortanninglinkedwithearlyonsetofskincancerixzz1gq9mdteqxidrssfullhealthsciyahoo

Dr. Alan Weidner
Have you seen the Inada Sogno Dreamwave Plus Massage Chair?

One of the tips doctors will give you at your annual physical will be to keep your blood glucose (or blood sugar) under control. However, they often don’t think about telling you how to keep your blood sugar under control. While you can go to the American Diabetes Association and get detailed information about how your blood glucose can fluctuate, it is important to know that many think affect your blood sugar, and not simply what you eat. For instance, exercise and stress can also affect how your body processes sugars.

“People with diabetes should monitor the amount of glucose (sugar) in their blood. Insulin and certain drugs often are key, but so is understanding what causes blood sugar levels to fluctuate. The American Diabetes Association mentions these factors: The foods you eat. How much you exercise, and when. Where in the body you inject insulin. The time of day that you inject yourself. Being sick. Being under stress.”

Learn More Here: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20120116/hl_hsn/healthtipwhataffectsbloodglucose

Dr. Alan Weidner
Come look at the Inada Sogno Massage Chair!

Around the world, next to water, tea is the most consumed drink. In some cultures tea drinking is practically the national pastime. While people enjoy the flavor or the soothing habit of properly preparing the beverage, there are many health benefits that accompany some of the additional compounds found in the tea.

“As a plain beverage (without milk, sugar or other additives with calories), tea contains a negligible amount of calories. When helping patients manage a healthy weight, tea is an ideal choice. Catechin-enriched green tea may have a positive effect on body composition and weight management. These effects have been repetitively shown in Asian populations; the research needs replication in Western populations. In addition, green tea intake may help with fat oxidation and increased energy expenditure. In one study, a high green tea consumption containing 375 mg/day of catechins and 150 mg/day of caffeine helped increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation in animals and humans.”

Learn More Here: http://physical-therapy.advanceweb.com/Features/Articles/Health-Benefits-of-Tea.aspx

Dr. Alan Weidner
Take a glance at the Osaki 6000 Massage Chair!

Many gyms are playing with the ideas of hot workout environments. While this may work for lower-stress workouts, such as yoga, it is not recommended for heavy exercise. Part of the reason is the likelyhood of experiencing heat cramps. These typically occur during exercise in a hot environment. Therefore, it can also happen in the summer time or heat waves when you are exercising outside.

“Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. You’re most likely to experience heat cramps in the calf, arm, abdomen and back. Next time you experience heat cramps, here’s what to do: Rest briefly and cool down. Drink clear juice or an electrolyte-containing sports drink. Gently stretch and massage the affected area. Call your doctor if the cramps don’t go away in an hour.”

Learn More Here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-tip/HT00378/rss=6

Dr. Alan Weidner
Take a look at the Osaki 4000 Massage Chair!

Laws are going in force around the country regarding the use of cell phones while driving, outlawing both talking and texting by the driver. However, there is an increasing number of problems surfacing regarding the use of headphones, particularly teens. An increasing number of accidents are happening because the driver was wearing headphones, but the most disturbing part is the increase in pedestrian accidents because of headphones.

“They found that the majority of incidents involved young men under the age of 30 and occurred in urban counties. More than half of the crashes were with trains, not motor vehicles, and many of them sounded their horns before the crash, which the victim most likely did not hear because they were wearing headphones. They also found over the six year period they studied, there was a tripling in the number of cases of serious injury to pedestrians who were wearing headphones when the crash occurred, according to a statement from University of Maryland Medical Center.”

Read More Here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240368.php

Dr. Alan Weidner
Take a look at the Panasonic MA70 Massage Chair!

One of the problems in eating healthy is finding places to incorporate vegetables and fruit without upsetting your routine. If you make the additions a seamless part of your lifestyle and habits you won’t find yourself with an irrational anger at your healthy foods. The linked article provides a few tips and places you can add vegetables to not only eat better, but without extra inconvenience.

“The American Dietetic Association offers these suggestions: Top your favorite pizza with zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, green peppers or broccoli. Lunch on a whole-wheat wrap filled with roasted vegetables. Instead of chips, dip crunchy veggies into some low-fat salad dressing. Throw some veggie kabobs on the grill. Top salads with extra veggies, such as carrots or grape tomatoes. Keep a stash of pre-cut veggies on hand for snacks and meals.”

Learn More Here: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=153657

Dr. Alan Weidner
Have you seen the Osaki 3000 Massage Chair?

Oddly enough, during a time in which we are all trying to renew our lives and setting goals to make changes, January happens to find people with the most amount of stress and depression than any other time of year. While the causes are specifically different for each individual, taking steps to destress your life is important for everyone.

“It is quite simply paying full, whole-hearted attention. A typical meditation involves paying full attention to the breath as it flows in and out of the body. Focusing on each breath in this way allows you to observe your thoughts as they arise in your mind and, little by little, to let go of struggling with them. You come to the profound understanding that thoughts and feelings (including negative ones) are transient. They come and they go, and ultimately, you have a choice about whether to act on them.”

Learn More Here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/17/health/destressing-life-tips/index.html?eref=rss_health&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_health+%28RSS%3A+Health%29

Dr. Alan Weidner
Take a look at the Omega Montage Pro Massage Chair!

One of the major complications of diabetes is poor circulation and nerve damage that can occur. Typically these problems affect the extremities first, and it is quite common for diabetics to have to have amputations of their feet due to the tissue damage that results from these problems.

“Two common complications of diabetes are nerve damage and poor circulation, which make foot problems common among diabetics. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these footcare suggestions for people with diabetes: Avoid walking barefoot to reduce the risk of injury. Carefully wash your feet with warm water and gentle soap each day, making sure the water isn’t too hot and that you carefully dry your feet. Moisturize the skin on your feet frequently. Keep toenails trimmed. Cut them straight across to help prevent ingrown nails. Avoid using over-the-counter medications, antiseptic solutions, anything sharp or heating pads on your feet. Keep your feet warm at all times. Don’t smoke.”

Learn More Here: http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20120103/hl_hsn/healthtipfootcaresuggestionsfordiabetics

Dr. Alan Weidner
Check out the Panasonic 30007 Massage Chair!

A lot of medications are on the market that are designed to help you get a good nights rest. Additionally millions of dollars are spent every year on sleep aids such as specialized mattresses, sound machines and light-altering products. But before you start investing your hard-earned money in products or doctor visits, you may want to look into what is causing your insomnia in the first place. Treating the cause is always a better way to go than treating a symptom.

“Insomnia is the general term used to mean waking too early, or having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute says many factors can lead to insomnia, including: Headache or arthritis. Heart failure or asthma. Hyperthyroidism, the term for an overactive thyroid. Heartburn. Menopause and associated hot flashes. Other sleep disorders, including sleep-related breathing problems or restless legs syndrome.”

Learn More Here: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=153256

Dr. Alan Weidner
Check out the Sanyo 8700 Massage Chair!