Bettercaring discover new trends in care home diets

In light of new nutritional government guidelines from the UK Department of Health and members of the Nutrition Summit stakeholder group, Bettercaring has discovered that there are many positive changes being implemented across care homes in the UK.

Bettercaring undertook some research this month to try and discover what sort of systems care homes were trialling in order to provide nutritionally balanced meals for elderly residents.

Bettercaring found that nursing homes were generally beginning to adhere to government guidelines by sourcing local ingredients from local suppliers to make meals and snacks. However funding is a big issue. On average just £2.43 is spent per head per day in care homes which can cause some homes difficulty, particularly as residents often have very specific dietary requirements.

One care home based in Charnwood, Leicestershire proved that their innovative approach to food had been a success. They offer care home residents a 24 hour kitchen service so that residents can pick and choose from a selection of food whenever they feel hungry. Through this system residents have been more inclined to eat and are healthier as a result.

Bettercaring undertakes research on a number of topics related to the welfare of the elderly in care homes. » Continue reading

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Know your health, online

The invitation on a website reads: "Use nutrition tools to assess your health risks." Enter your height, weight, waist and hip measurements. And it will tell whether you are overweight or not!

The website, nutritionvista.com, recommends visitors to contact its online dieticians to analyse steps to improve their health parameters.

"You are what you eat," says US-based gatroenterologist and nutritionist Dr Sunil S. Jhangiani, who is the founder of the website. According to him, "a high level of functioning is possible only with better health".

For employers, the website offers online health screenings and suggests proactive measures for 'at risk' employees to adopt healthier lifestyles. Linked with Telerad RxDx, a multi-specialty clinic in Bangalore, the website targets corporate clients, and people leading sedentary lifestyle. It offers assessment tools, one-to-one consultation with qualified physicians, web-based 24/7 support, regular follow-up visits and latest information on health and nutrition from around the globe. All for free. Another feature is the list of healthy preparations. A customer is free to send in his recipe. "If required, we will also advice on how to improve the nutritional value of the recipe," says dietician Kanchan Saggi.

The website has the daily exercise planner, community blogs, did-you-knows and food intake analyses. A friendly layout and pleasing colours are added features. Nutritionvista comes with a disclaimer that it "does not intend to create any physician-patient relationship or supplant any in-person medical consultant or examination". » Continue reading

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Big events & your memory

When you experience an emotionally-charged event, it's something that is etched into your memory, and now scientists think they know why. In experiments with mice, researchers found that powerful surges of hormone norepinephrine -- surges that occur during emotional episodes -- cause a series of events that strengthen the connections between neurons, sealing these events into memory. "The question is why is it that you can remember some trivial events that occur at a time when there is high emotional arousal," said lead researcher Dr. Roberto Malinow of the Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, New York. "For example, everyone remembers where they were when they heard about September 11, even though they may have been in some trivial place."

The researchers found that norepinephrine can modify brain cell-receptors, making them easier to go into synapses -- the tiny spaces between brain cells -- making it easier to learn and form memories, Malinow said. In studies with mice, Malinow's group found that norepinephrine, coupled with emotional stress, plays an important role in lowering the threshold for certain brain cell-receptors called GluR1. This, in turn, causes a boost in memory.

When the researchers put lab mice through behavioural tests, they found that exposure to norepinephrine made normal mice remember events more clearly. But, mice with mutations of the GluR1 receptors that were exposed to norepinephrine did not show improved memory. Norepinephrine is known to play a part in the emotional control of memory. During emotional stress, norepinephrine is released by neurons (brain cells) in many areas of the brain involved with forming emotional memories. Malinow thinks this finding could lead to new treatments for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. One expert sees this study as an extension of similar work, which showed that norepinephrine is involved in the memory of fearful events that can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. » Continue reading

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Clear cutter, before it kills you

It's called the disease of affluenza. Too much stuff owing to too much affluence. The result is a quagmire of clutter. Living in clutter is more than just a matter of aesthetics. It can be hazardous to your health. According to lifestyle gurus, clutter and disorganisation create a negative home environment that gets the blood pulsing through the body, sending people into a stressful state that sets the tone of the entire day. So clean up your home, and chances are you'll improve your health. Some useful hints:

Bedroom: The bedroom should be a place to relax and shake off the anxieties of the day. If you're surrounded by clutter, it follows that negative energy is going to interfere with relaxation and sleep. A good night's sleep is the basis of good health. Even common items like exercise equipment, paper-work and work-related items can attract the wrong kind of energy and sabotage rest. Everything in the bedroom should be geared to support sleep, and give your mind a chance to unwind.

Closets: People think no one will ever see their closets. So they often leave it overstuffed. An overloaded closet makes a thorough cleaning impossible. Dust can infiltrate the fibres of your clothing, and bring on sneezing fits. A good cleaning reduces environmental exposure to these allergic-triggers.

Family room: 'Packratitis' is a top cause of chronic sinus conditions. When tabletops and floors are covered with toys, magazines and DVDs and other clutter, chances of making a clean sweep are miniscule. People tend to adapt to their environment, and don't recognise their own bad habits. So, retain your eyes to see the dirt. It could change your life completely.

Bathroom: A cabinet full of expired necessities is the hallmark of a dysfunctional bathroom. Old medications and cosmetics can lose their potency or, worse, make you ill. Trash them.

Home office: Inefficient configurations of computers, components and office files won't just hamper productivity. A makeshift chair or a desks that's not properly positioned for a keyboard and mouse (perhaps because of those piles of paper) could wind up being a pain in the neck, and the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome, eyestrain, and headaches are common complaints that manifest when good organisation goes awry.

Kitchen: A disorganised kitchen can lead to poor nutrition, even weight problems. A kitchen in disarray is one you're less likely to spend time in.

That means lots of snack foods and canned foods and lots of eating out that can lead to weight and related health problems.

Organising gurus say they have seen dramatic transformations in their clients' health and well-being once the clutters are removed. » Continue reading

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Speed trance to perfection

Do you want to develop a great sense of humor or overcome your fear of dogs? Would you like to reverse the aging process, overcome an illness or improve your driving skills? You can find a solution to these and 300 other problems in Instant Hypnosis.

It is a misconception that induction into hypnosis is time consuming and requires complete relaxation. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to hypnotize a subject in just a few seconds by causing confusion, loss of equilibrium, misdirection, shock, and eye fixation.

Instant-Hypnosis.com provides a huge collection of hypnosis downloads for almost anything you can think of -- self-improvement, fear and phobias, body image, illness, skill improvement, personal development, business success, addictions and habits, mental health, love & emotions, sleeping disorders, pain relief, relaxation, and general health.

You could give it a try and if you are not yet ready to hypnotize yourself, you can definitely take the FREE five-part hypnosis mini-course to get you started. » Continue reading

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Genetic elixir

It looks like genes will keep you in your jeans till kingdom come. The buzz is that a nematode worm holds the key to eternal youth. Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, California, have identified a gene that links calorie restriction to longevity. The over-expression of a gene, encoding the protein PHA-4, led to increased lifespan in worms. This might lead to development of drugs that mimic the effects of calorie restriction.

» Continue reading

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Keep your breath sweet

Would you tell your best friend if she had halitosis -- or bad breath? Most people wouldn't, according to a survey by the British Dental Health Foundation. Bad breath is mostly caused by poor dental hygiene, but can be triggered by a pungent meal or bad nutrition, or it can indicate medical problems.

To test yourself, lick the inside of your wrist, wait ten seconds and then sniff! If the smell is unpleasant, it's likely that your breath is too. For a sweeter smell:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
  
• Floss daily -- brushing alone only cleans about 60 per cent of the surface of your teeth.
  
• Use a mouthwash: some kill the bacteria that cause halitosis.
  
• Drink more water -- a dry mouth can cause bad breath. Also, chewing sugar-free gum stimlates saliva (also relieves indigestion).
  
• The traditional remedy is to chew parsley, which has long been recognized as a breath freshener.

If you've tried everything -- and given up smoking! -- seek advice from your dentist. » Continue reading

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Sneaky sources of Caffeine

You know you shouldn't have too much caffeine, since it can cause anxiety and insomnia. What you probably didn't know: Some foods pack a caffeine wallop nearly the size of your morning java jolt (a cup of coffee has about 80 mg of caffeine).

Food manufacturers aren't required to list the amount of caffeine in a product, so many people are in the dark. There are no government guidelines on how much we can safely consume, but dietitians say 200 to 300 mg a day is okay for most adults. (For kids the maximum must be 85 mg) Surprising sources:

Fizzy drinks: A can of cola has typically about 45 mg, while Mountain Dew has 55.

Chocolate: Sweet chocolate: about 20 mg per 30 gm, and baking chocolate 35 mg.

Iced Tea: Could contain about 30 to 75 mg per bottle.

Medicines: Analgesics like Anacin: 64 mg. Some diuretics may contain upto 200 mg per pill. » Continue reading

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Can doing laundry help make you fit?

You'd better believe it, says Ellen Langer, PhD, a Harvard University psychologist. She told 44 hotel maids their job was a good workout. A month later, they'd shed about a kilo.

They say they didn't work any harder, but their mind-set had changed: They believed cleaning could help them shape up, and somehow it did. "If you put the mind in a healthy place, the body will be in a healthy place," says Langer.

But Cedric Bryant, PhD, of the American Council on Exercise, isn't so sure. "I wonder if changing their perception had an impact on their behaviour outside work. Did they think, Jeez, I'm becoming healthy while I work -- now I should eat better? The study didn't measure that." In any case, everyday activities do add up. » Continue reading

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Wanna lose weight sleeping?

Here's a weight-loss strategy that you might find relaxing. A large study has found a link between amount of sleep and risk of obesity. Study subjects between the ages of 32 and 59 who slept four hours or less a night were 73 percent more likely to be obese than those who slept between seven and nine hours. People who got five hours of sleep had a 50 percent higher risk, and those who go six hours were 23 percent more likely to be obese.

"Sleeping less could serve as a trigger to the body to increase food intake and store fat," says the study's lead researcher James Gangwisch, a postdoctoral fellow in psychiatric epidemiology at Columbia University. » Continue reading

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Nosebleed Alert

People typically get nosebleeds from things like dry weather, blowing or picking. But some times a nosebleed can be more serious. Here's when to seek medical attention, says Dr. Michael C. Fabian, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist in Toronto:

• If the blood is still flowing after applying ten minutes of continuous pressure to the nose. Usually, pinching your nose should stop the bleeding within five to ten minutes.
  
• If you have frequent nosebleeds. These could result from a bleeding disorder or an abnormal lesion in the nose.
  
• If you're bleeding down the back of your throat, as well as your nostril, or if you're bleeding from both nostrils. That could mean a deeper bleed.
  
• If the bleeding is rapid and copious, and/or you feel week.
  
• If you get a nosebleed as a result of a head or facial injury.

» Continue reading

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Bean-anza

As you make your way through the salad line at the cafeteria, do your heart a favour and ladle an extra scoop of beans onto your plate.

Using data from more than 9000 people who were followed for 20 years, US researchers found that people who ate beans or peas four or more times a week were 20 percent less likely to suffer coronary heart disease than people who ate legumes less than once a week. Beans and peas -- canned, fresh or dried, rajma (pinto bean), soya, black or any other type -- are rich in soluble fibre, potassium, calcium, magnesium and folate, all of which have been associated with lower cholesterol and heart-healthy eating. » Continue reading

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Midair Yoga

Passengers on JetBlue, a low-fare US domestic airline, are getting a free lesson in stress management. The airline has introduced instruction cards produced by Crunch Fitness that depict four different yoga postures to unkink muscles and increase circulation. The yoga exercises include Bidalasana, which entails hunching over in your seat (sort of like you need the barf bag), and Uttita Hastasana, where you interlace your fingers and stretch up towards the air duct while relaxing your face, jaw and eyes. "We want passengers to feel better, be relaxed and take a little stress off for a while," says JetBlue's marketing vice-president, Amy Curtis. "If you don't feel like watching TV, have a little stretch and chill out."

» Continue reading

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Ordering up a healthy diet

It's festival time, and restaurants dish out specialties. But that shouldn't mean blowing out your diet. Here are some ideas for staying healthy while dining out:

Skip the buffet. Before going out choose a restaurant that offers healthy menu options. All-you-can-eat buffets and fast-food joints are diet-killers.

Choose steamed, not fried. Look for dishes described as fresh, roasted, grilled or steamed. Avoid items with the words fried, creamy or extra-crispy.

Put it on the side. For an appetizer, look for broth-based soups, rather than cream. Apply any salad dressing very lightly.

Go ahead and ask. Don't be shy -- ask the waiter if the restaurant offers low-fat items, or if regular menu options can be cooked for you with less oil.

Split the difference. Fresh fruit is the healthiest dessert. If you can't resist something sweet, share it with a friend.

Move it out of sight. Stop eating when you're full. Ask the waiter to clear your plate so you aren't tempted to keep on nibbling.

Pace yourself. Not eating all day so you can eat more at night is a bad idea -- it encourages extravagant ordering and fast eating.

Watch the booze. Alcohol is high in calories. Avoid liqueurs and cream with coffee.

» Continue reading

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Stand up and watch TV

Since we all got cable connections, the average number of hours spent watching TV has shot up. A new study hints that the increased couch time could have a deadlier downside than anyone thought.

French researchers in Nice reviewed more than 65,000 cases of deep vein thrombosis - potentially fatal blood clots in the legs -- and found that hospitalisation were 18 percent higher than average in the winter, when people watched more TV. These clots form relatively quickly -- the condition is a hazard on long airline flights -- so cutting your risk is as simple as getting out of your chair. "You need to get your blood pumping," says Kevin Burns, a trainer and spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. His suggestions:

Join a club
Get outdoors and join serious walkers in a park. Fellow exercisers will offer support and camaraderie.

Go shopping
At the supermarket, walk every aisle. If there are carts, retrace your steps once you have filled: Pushing a full cart is a better workout.

Deskercise
Once an hour, take a break and try this chair workout: With your big toe as your pen, write a message in the air ("Picky up dry cleaning" or "Call Mum"). Follow up with the other leg.

Jumpstart your heart
Spot jog through one commercial for every 30-minute programme you watch.

Rent a video
If you don't want to take a gym class, pop a tape in your VCR and learn yoga, kickboxing or do a stationery jog while you watch.

» Continue reading

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Healing Power of Tears

May be you should cry: It's good for body and soul.
As a child I couldn't understand why my tear ducts were dry when my grandfather died. But that night when my dad tried to lighten the mood with some tickling at my bedtime tuck-in, my giggles turned into crying, much to my horror -- and relief.

So it came as no surprise to learn that researchers believe crying and laughing stem from the same part of the brain. Just as laughing has a host of health benefits (lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system), scientists are discovering that so, too, does crying.

"Whatever it takes for an individual to vent and release stress is essential to our emotional health," says Jodi DeLuca, a neuropsychologist. And crying seems to work well: One survey found that 85% of women and 73% of men felt better after crying.

Even more important than acting as stress relievers, tears attract help from other people. Researchers agree that when we cry, people around us become milder and less aggressive, and they're more likely to provide support and comfort.

Tears enable self-disclosure too; sometimes we don't even know we're upset until we cry. "We learn about our emotions through crying, and then we can deal with them," says neuroscientist William H. Frey II, author of Crying: The Mystery of Tears.

Just as crying can be healthy, not crying -- holding back tears of anger or grief -- can be bad for our bodies. Studies have linked emotional repression to high blood pressure, heart problems and cancer. "We are genetically programmed to cry, and denying that impulse damages our physical well being," says DeLuca.

Despite the benefits of bawling, if crying interferes with everyday life, see your doctor or a therapist. It could be and early sign of depression.

Doctors aren't prescribing sob sessions just yet; how much we cry depends on genetics, gender (women cry four time more than men) and upbringing. But when you feel like weeping, don't fight it. It's a natural and healthy -- emotional response.

Also read
Healing Power of Laughter
Healing Power of Forgiveness
Healing Power of Music
Healing Power of Sleep » Continue reading

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Tooth Be Told

You might not be replacing your toothbrush often enough (I know, it's hard to find the color you like). The American Dental Association recommends you trade in your toothbrush every three to four months, or earlier if it's frayed or loses shape. Recent studies from Oral-B Laboratories found that after just one use, a new brush removed 13 percent more plaque than a brush worn down to simulate three months of use. Compared to the old brushes, not only did the new ones remove 24% more plaque between the teeth, but they also reduced gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) by almost half. » Continue reading

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Don't Cough Cash

Next time you need to treat a tickle in your throat, reach for the kettle, not your wallet. British researchers reviewed 15 studies of over-the-counter cough medicines, involving over 2000 people, and found no solid proof the pricey potions were any more effective than a placebo. Try granny's recipe first: lemon and honey in a mug of hot water. » Continue reading

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Out of Puff or Addicted?

You only smoke a few cigarettes a day, so you're not really hooked, right? Wrong.

"Smoking restrictions mean people are lighting fewer cigarettes but inhaling harder," says Dr. Karl Fagerstrom, author of a study paper on the subject.

His research results suggest that a better indicator of addiction is the time until your first fag in the morning; less than 30 minutes means you're "heavily dependent."

Also read: Looking forward to quit smoking? » Continue reading

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Feed Your Face...

Literally. What you eat can affect the quality of your complexion. Dermatologist Jeanette Jacknin, author of Smart Medicine for Your Skin, shows you how to scour the market for foods that can fight some common problems:

Sun Damage
Eat: Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables.

A diet packed with produce (along with a good sunblock) can help prevent the sun's ill effects on the skin. The antioxidants vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C act like natural sunscreens in the body.

Bruising
Eat: Dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach.

Spinach, cartoon sailor man Popeye's favourite food is packed with vitamin K -- essential for normal blood clotting -- and vitamin C, key for any wound healing.

Wrinkling
Eat: Olive oil, almonds, brown rice.

These foods are loaded with vitamin E, which is thought to help protect the skin's cell membranes. A recent Australian study of 453 seniors found that people who ate foods like vegetables, beans, whole grains and olive oil had the least wrinkles.

Thin Skin
Eat: Whole grain cereals, seafood, garlic.

The selenium in these foods preserves tissue elasticity, slows down aging and protects against the sun. In one study, supplementation with selenium, copper and vitamins resulted in a lower number of sunburned cells after exposure. » Continue reading

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