Energy Drinks and Your Body

How much would you pay for a drink that promises to revitalize your mind and body, elevate your energy or give you the focus you need to cross every item off your to-do list? Catching a third wind is priceless, which is why energy-drink sales are in the billions each year. But there may be a hidden cost.

Are Energy Drinks Bad for you? The Health Side Effects of Energy Drinks

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As sales skyrocket, so do energy-drink-related emergency room visits: between 2007 and 2011, they doubled from about 10,000 to nearly 21,000 visits. In a recent USC study—which randomly SAMPLED emergency room patients—a third of patients who reported downing energy drinks had adverse reactions ranging from heart palpitations to chest pain to seizures. And, even more frightening, the Food and Drug Administration has received reports of at least 15 deaths related to energy drinks. Although there’s no proof linking these negative reactions to drinking an energy drink, “no one really knows how dangerous [energy drinks] are,” says Michael Jacobson, Ph.D., executive director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “They certainly raise a caution flag about drinking too much [caffeine] too quickly.” In fact, the FDA recently launched an investigation into the safety 

Hair Loss

                                                             Causes of hair loss

                                                             1. Physical Stress 

                                                             2. Stress

                                                             3. Scalp Infections 

                                                          

Men and woman I am sure have the same level of fear about hair lost.  Aging and hair lost, things we just can't control. Most men expect some thinning or change in their hair pattern, Hair loss may result in diffuse hair thinning or cause one or more areas of the scalp to become bald. 

   

Hair Loss in Men

Some types of hair loss can be caused by damage to the skin of the scalp.

With your hair loss, have you noticed any of the following changes of the skin on your scalp?

- Redness

- Flaking

- Irritation or itching

- Scarring

- Open sores

 

Surviving Allergy Season

Protecting your family



Clear the Air
There's only so much you can do about outdoor air quality, but you can control the air quality inside your home. For starters, keep your windows shut.

Plan for Exercise
It helps your lungs and heart work better, and it builds your strength and endurance. If you choose an outdoor activity, try to limit the pollen and irritants you bring inside with you.

Rethink Your Home Decor
The surfaces in your home are as important as the air. Wash your curtains or, even better, replace them with blinds or other non-fabric window dressing. Dust items that are leather, plastic, vinyl, or wood with a damp cloth.

Clean With Care
If you can't get rid of your carpet, the American Lung Association recommends vacuuming at least three times a week using a filter mask for added protection.

Taking these simple steps can help you protect yourself and your family during the allergy season.

What are vitamins?

A vitamin is an organic compound and a vital nutrient that an organism requires in limited amount. They are about thirteen vitamins that are recognized at the present. Each vitamin are classified by their biological and chemical activity, not their structure.  Below is a list of each vitamin and biological breakdown of their compounds.

Vitamin generic descriptor name	Vitamer chemical name(s) (list not complete)	Solubility	Recommended dietary allowances (male, age 19–70)[7]	Deficiency disease	Upper Intake Level (UL/day)[7]	Overdose disease	Food sources
Vitamin A	Retinol, retinal, and four carotenoids including beta carotene	Fat	900 µg	Night blindness,Hyperkeratosis, andKeratomalacia[8]	3,000 µg	Hypervitaminosis A	LIVER, orange, ripe yellow fruits, leafy vegetables, carrots, pumpkin, squash, spinach, fish, soy milk, milk
Vitamin B1	Thiamine	Water	1.2 mg	Beriberi, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome	N/D[9]	Drowsiness or muscle relaxation with large doses.[10]	Pork, oatmeal, brown rice, vegetables, potatoes, LIVER, eggs
Vitamin B2	Riboflavin	Water	1.3 mg	Ariboflavinosis,Glossitis, Angular stomatitis	N/D		Dairy products, bananas, popcorn, green beans, asparagus
Vitamin B3	Niacin, niacinamide	Water	16.0 mg	Pellagra	35.0 mg	Liver damage (doses > 2g/day)[11] and other problems	Meat, fish, eggs, many vegetables, mushrooms, tree nuts
Vitamin B5	Pantothenic acid	Water	5.0 mg[12]	Paresthesia	N/D	Diarrhea; possibly nausea and HEARTBURN.[13]	Meat, broccoli, avocados
Vitamin B6	Pyridoxine,pyridoxamine,pyridoxal	Water	1.3–1.7 mg	Anemia[14] peripheral neuropathy.	100 mg	Impairment ofproprioception, nerve damage (doses > 100 mg/day)	Meat, vegetables, tree nuts, bananas
Vitamin B7	Biotin	Water	30.0 µg	Dermatitis, enteritis	N/D		Raw egg yolk, LIVER, peanuts, leafy green vegetables
Vitamin B9	Folic acid, folinic acid	Water	400 µg	Megaloblastic anemiaand Deficiency during pregnancy is associated with birth defects, such as neural tube defects	1,000 µg	May mask symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency; other effects.	Leafy vegetables, pasta, bread, cereal, LIVER
Vitamin B12	Cyanocobalamin,hydroxycobalamin,methylcobalamin	Water	2.4 µg	Megaloblastic anemia[15]	N/D	Acne-like rash [causality is not conclusively established].	Meat and other animal products
Vitamin C	Ascorbic acid	Water	90.0 mg	Scurvy	2,000 mg	Vitamin C megadosage	Many fruits and vegetables, LIVER
Vitamin D	Cholecalciferol (D3),Ergocalciferol (D2)	Fat	10 µg[16]	Rickets andOsteomalacia	50 µg	Hypervitaminosis D	Fish, eggs, LIVER, mushrooms
Vitamin E	Tocopherols,tocotrienols	Fat	15.0 mg	Deficiency is very rare;sterility in males andabortions in females, mild hemolytic anemiain newborn infants.[17]	1,000 mg	Increased CONGESTIVE HEART FAILUREseen in one large randomized study.[18]	Many fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds
Vitamin K	phylloquinone,menaquinones	Fat	120 µg	Bleeding diathesis	N/D	Increases coagulation in patients taking warfarin.[19]	Leafy green vegetables such as spinach, egg yolks, liver

Health effects

Vitamins are essential for the normal growth and development of a multicellular organism. Using the genetic blueprint inherited from its parents, a fetus begins to develop, at the moment of conception, from the NUTRIENTS it absorbs. It requires certain vitamins and minerals to be present at certain times. These NUTRIENTS facilitate the chemical reactions that produce among other things, skin, bone, and muscle. If there is serious deficiency in one or more of these nutrients, a child may develop a de

Why is eating breakfast important

Eating breakfast is very important for both weight control and brain development. Breakfast provides you with energy and nutrients that lead to increased concentration in school. According to WebMd children who eat breakfast perform better in the classroom and on the playground, with better concentration, problem-solving skills, and eye-hand coordination.

Why breakfast? While seems as though you can save calories by skipping breakfast, this is not an effect way of doing so. Normally hunger get the best of breakfast skippers, and the tend to eat more throughout the day. To have a balance life we must also be healthy and be aware of our body. Remember your health is your wealth. I suggest to my readers who are regular breakfast skippers to start a new trend by eating your breakfast and discover the changes that will bring into your life.

Physical Activities

Physical Activities and Health

Regular physical activities is very important to your health. Here is a list of benefits....

1. Control your weight

2. Reduce your risk of heart diabetes 

3. Strengthen your bones and muscles

4. Improve your mental health 

5. Reduce your risks of some cancers  

6. Increase your chances of living longer

Studies show that heart attacks are rare during physical activity. Start slow because, the risk of an heart attack do go up when you become more active. For example, you can put yourself at risk if you don't usually get much physical activity and then all of a sudden do vigorous aerobic activity, like shoveling snow. If you are not healthy to do physical activities consult with your doctor and come up with a plan that best suits you. As we age, our bones, joints and muscles weaken. They support our bodies but most importantly, they keep us moving and in later years we need them to be healthy. Fractures can have life-changing negative results when you are older. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgement skills sharp as you age. 

   

Source: USDA

Tips for Vegetarians

Vegetarian diets can meet all the recommendations for nutrients. The key is to consume a variety of foods and the right amount of foods to meet your calorie needs. Follow the food group recommendations for your age, sex, and activity level to get the right amount of food and the variety of foods needed for nutrient adequacy. Nutrients that vegetarians may need to focus on include protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12.

 

Nutrients to focus on for vegetarians

• Protein has many important functions in the body and is essential for growth and maintenance. Protein needs can easily be met by eating a variety of plant-based foods. Combining different protein sources in the same meal is not necessary. Sources of protein for vegetarians and vegans include beans, nuts, nut butters, peas, and soy products (tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers). Milk products and eggs are also good protein sources for lacto-ovo vegetarians.
• Iron functions primarily as a carrier of oxygen in the blood. Iron sources for vegetarians and vegans include iron-fortified breakfast cereals, spinach, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lentils, turnip greens, molasses, whole wheat breads, peas, and some dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, raisins).
• Calcium is used for building bones and teeth and in maintaining bone strength. Sources of calcium for vegetarians and vegans include calcium-fortified soymilk, calcium-fortified breakfast cereals and orange juice, tofu made with calcium sulfate, and some dark-green leafy vegetables (collard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, mustard greens). The amount of calcium that can be absorbed from these foods varies. Consuming enough plant foods to meet calcium needs may be unrealistic for many. Milk products are excellent calcium sources for lacto vegetarians. Calcium supplements are another potential source.
• Zinc is necessary for many biochemical reactions and also helps the immune system function properly. Sources of zinc for vegetarians and vegans include many types of beans (white beans, kidney beans, and chickpeas), zinc-fortified breakfast cereals, wheat germ, and pumpkin seeds. Milk products are a zinc source for lacto vegetarians.
• Vitamin B12 is found in animal products and some fortified foods. Sources of vitamin B12 for vegetarians include milk products, eggs, and foods that have been fortified with vitamin B12. These include breakfast cereals, soymilk, veggie burgers, and nutritional yeast.

Tips for Vegetarians

• Build meals around protein sources that are naturally low in fat, such as beans, lentils, and rice. Don't overload meals with high-fat cheeses to replace the meat.
• Calcium-fortified soymilk provides calcium in amounts similar to milk. It is usually low in fat and does not contain cholesterol.
• Many foods that typically contain meat or poultry can be made vegetarian. This can increase vegetable intake and cut saturated fat and cholesterol intake. Consider:
  • pasta primavera or pasta with marinara or pesto sauce
  • veggie pizza
  • vegetable lasagna
  • tofu-vegetable stir fry
  • vegetable lo mein
  • vegetable kabobs
  • bean burritos or tacos
• A variety of vegetarian products look (and may taste) like their non-vegetarian counterparts, but are usually lower in saturated fat and contain no cholesterol.
  • For breakfast, try soy-based sausage patties or links.
  • Rather than hamburgers, try veggie burgers. A variety of kinds are available, made with soy beans, vegetables, and/or rice.
  • Add vegetarian meat substitutes to soups and stews to boost protein without adding saturated fat or cholesterol. These include tempeh (cultured soybeans with a chewy texture), tofu, or wheat gluten (seitan).
  • For barbecues, try veggie burgers, soy hot dogs, marinated tofu or tempeh, and veggie kabobs.
  • Make bean burgers, lentil burgers, or pita halves with falafel (spicy ground chick pea patties).
  • Some restaurants offer soy options (texturized vegetable protein) as a substitute for meat, and soy cheese as a substitute for regular cheese.
• Most restaurants can accommodate vegetarian modifications to menu items by substituting meatless sauces, omitting meat from stir-fries, and adding vegetables or pasta in place of meat. These substitutions are more likely to be available at restaurants that make food to order.
• Many Asian and Indian restaurants offer a varied selection of vegetarian dishes..

Healthy Eating Tips

 Source: USDA

Food Safety Advice

Clean: Wash Hands and Surfaces Often

Bacteria can be spread throughout the kitchen and get onto hands, cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food.

Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and after using the bathroom or changing diapers.

Wash your hands after playing with pets or visiting petting zoos.

Wash your cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next food.

Consider using paper towels to clean surfaces. If you use cloth towels wash them often in the hot cycle of your washing machine.

Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten.

Rub firm-skinned fruits and vegetables under running tap water or scrub with a clean vegetable brush while rinsing with running tap water.

Keep books, backpacks, or shopping bags off the kitchen table or counters where food is prepared or served.

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Separate: Don't Cross Contaminate

Cross-contamination is how bacteria can be spread. When handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs, keep these foods and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods. Always start with a clean scene ― wash hands with warm water and soap. Wash cutting boards, dishes, countertops, and utensils with hot soapy water.

Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in your grocery shopping cart, grocery bags, and in your refrigerator.

Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

Use a food thermometer, which measures the internal temperature of cooked meat, poultry, and egg dishes, to make sure that the food is cooked to a safe internal temp..

Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.

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Cook: Cook to Proper Temperatures

Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of cooked foods.

Use a food thermometer , which measures the internal temperature of cooked meat, poultry, and egg dishes, to make sure that the food is cooked to a safe internal temp.

Cook beef roasts and steaks to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F. Cook pork to a minimum of 145°F. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F throughout the bird, as measured with a food thermometer.

Cook all ground meat to 160°F. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) links eating undercooked ground beef with a higher risk of illness. Remember, color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of your burgers.

Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm, not runny. Don't use recipes in which eggs remain raw or only partially cooked. Casseroles and other dishes containing eggs should be cooked to 160°F.

Cook fish to 145°F or until the flesh is opaque and separates easily with a fork.

Make sure there are no cold spots in food (where bacteria can survive) when cooking in a microwave oven. For best results, cover food, stir and rotate for even cooking. If there is no turntable, rotate the dish by hand once or twice during cooking.

Bring sauces, soups and gravy to a boil when reheating. Heat other leftovers thoroughly to 165°F.

Use microwave-safe cookware and plastic wrap when cooking foods in a microwave oven.

Daily Eating - The Food Pyramid

The Food Pyramid

We all remember this diagram from grammar school. We were told to follow it by eating  balance servings of each food group on a daily basis. I don't think we accomplish doing this as kids, well our parents didn't. I had more sugar than protien in my diet growing up. Many may not know but the pyramid was design by the USDA or the United States Department of Agriculture. I can firmly say that most inner city kids didn't eat a balanced diet growing ethier. So today I want to ask the question to the you adults, do you adhere to pyramid? I am sure most would answer no. I personally don't adhere to the food pyramid and its not by choice, my life got busier. For starters, I don't eat breakfast on a regular because, of worry of being late to work. Maybe that explains why I am tired all of the time I am not getting all my nutrients. I do think the pyramid is the right guide for us to follow to maintain our healthy daily intake of food. However, it seems to be an idea of the pass with the amount of junk foods they have available in our schools for these kids. We need to enforce the idea of the pyramid again to the youths so they can be more conscious of what they eat.   

Best Care Centers in New Jersey

By Travis Wills

When you or a family member get ill, where they are being treated matters. When I am feeling ill and planning a visit to the ER, I would personally drive out of my community to visit a different hospital. Reason being is that I feel a little safer and calms my nerves. I am sure, I am not the only one that does this. I live in northern New Jersey and finding a good hospital in my county can be a challenge. At least thats what I thought before I research the best hospitals in New Jersey and behold there is two care centers in my county that made the top ten list.  Click to see list   The entire list and rankings of all the hospital are located in the link.

Here is the top ten in New Jersey:

State Rank	Hospital	No. of Specialties Nationally Ranked	No. of Specialties High-Performing
#1	Hackensack University Medical Center Hackensack, NJ Ranked #4 in New York metro area Recognized in Northern New Jersey	10 Nationally Ranked Specialties	2 High-Performing Specialties
#2	Morristown Medical Center Morristown, NJ Ranked #5 in New York metro area Recognized in Northern New Jersey	5 Nationally Ranked Specialties	6 High-Performing Specialties
#3	AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Atlantic City, NJ Recognized in Southern New Jersey	1 Nationally Ranked Specialty	10 High-Performing Specialties
#3	Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick, NJ Ranked #10 in New York metro area Recognized in Central New Jersey	1 Nationally Ranked Specialty	10 High-Performing Specialties
#5	Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation West Orange, NJ Ranked #12 in New York metro area Recognized in Northern New Jersey	1 Nationally Ranked Specialty	—
#6	St. Peter's University Hospital New Brunswick, NJ Ranked #14 in New York metro area Recognized in Central New Jersey	—	10 High-Performing Specialties
#7	Holy Name Medical Center Teaneck, NJ Ranked #17 in New York metro area Recognized in Northern New Jersey	—	9 High-Performing Specialties
#8	Jersey Shore University Medical Center Neptune, NJ Ranked #19 in New York metro area Recognized in Central New Jersey	—	8 High-Performing Specialties
#8	St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center Paterson, NJ Ranked #19 in New York metro area Recognized in Northern New Jersey	—	8 High-Performing Specialties
#10	Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Newark, NJ Ranked #23 in New York metro area Recognized in Northern New Jersey	—	6 High-Performing Specialties

Yes this list was made by medical professionals and there is credibility to what you are reading. I do know that individuals can have different opinions but, for the most part this seems accurate. Remember health is wealth.