According to a 1998 study, Colorado State University discovered that dogs of smokers are 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than those dogs in a non-smoking environment. Those cats that were exposed to second-hand smoke too were vulnerable to a condition called feline lymphoma. When people in vicinity smoke, the carcinogen in smoke get stuck in the cats’ fur and when a cat licks its own fur, the cancerous substance gets into their system. More than 75 percent of the cats diagnosed with lymphoma die within a year. In the case of dogs, short nosed dogs are more prone to lung cancer than the long nosed ones. This is because the passage of smoke for long nosed dogs is longer and hence most the malignant carcinogens are left behind in the nasal passage where as the snub nosed dogs bear the brunt in their lungs. Pet birds living in the vicinity of smokers, contract malicious infections of various organs like the eyes, heart, kidneys, skin, reproductive system and lungs.

Dr.Carolyn McAllister, a veterinarian with Oklahoma University, accentuated the fact that smokers left tobacco lying around the house that causes nicotine poisoning in pets and could not stress more on the fact that quitting on smoking is the first big step to ensuring respiratory care and otherwise good health for your pet. To smoke or not to smoke is entirely your own decision but if you plan to continue smoking then at least ensure a separate smoking zone in your home and keep away your pets from the zone. Your life may not revolve around your companions, but their life revolves around you, so treat them accordingly.

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Unfortunately, there are many things that could lead a person to develop cardiovascular disease. It is one of those diseases that can be passed on to someone genetically. My father was unfortunate enough to have this happen – he was required to have open heart surgery at only 53. This was a very expensive and nerve-racking procedure, but, thankfully, he made it out on top. One of the main things that was stressed after his surgery, though, was to continue a very active lifestyle, exercising every day. These cardiovascular disease exercises, however basic, are keeping his new heart functioning each and everyday, and can help people with a higher risk of heart disease to prevent it.

There is a certain type of fitness called Cardiovascular Fitness (or ‘cardio’), which encompasses a number of exercises used to increase the efficiency of the heart’s functions, allowing oxygen to be utilized by the entire respiratory system, as well as the heart. This fitness regiment is generally easy on the body, but very effective in the prevention and reversing of heart disease. Here are a few examples of cardio exercises that are both easy and effective:

Walking

Walking is one of the greatest cardio exercises, and is definitely one of the easiest. Whether its the short distance from the bedroom to the bathroom, or a long distance from the home to work, walking is an essential means of transportation for all human beings, and increasing the distance you walk every day can be a an extremely beneficial form of exercise. When first incorporating walking into your daily exercise, simply walk until you get tired. After that, start increasing the amount of time you walk everyday, and then begin increasing your pace. Remember, you’re still walking, so don’t do anything too strenuous.

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope is another fantastic form of exercise to help keep the blood and oxygen flowing at a steady rate through the body’s systems. When jumping rope, keep your jumps small and quick. Start by jumping for a minute or two, then taking a short rest. Do this for about twenty minutes the first couple days. Slowly increase the amount of jumping you do every day until you are doing a comfortable and decently long exercise whenever you jump.

Step Aerobics

Step aerobics is becoming more and more popular as an accepted form of cardiovascular fitness. Simple steps up and down can do wonders for your heart function, and are easy and simple. For those who wish to increase the amount of exercise they perform while doing step aerobics, adding layers of steps is a very available option.

Keeping a simple, easy exercise routine is essential to keeping a healthy, beating heart. The three forms of exercise listed above only scratch the surface of the multitude of ways to keep your heart healthy and prevent cardiovascular disease. So get out, and get active!

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One of the most major signs of these conditions is a complete change in attitude. Anxiety and depression symptoms are sometimes easy to identify, such as if someone were to start suddenly feeling apathetic, lethargic, pessimistic, or irritable. Unfortunately, it can be hard to identify because these could also be the symptoms of someone just having a bad day. The key to identifying someone who could have depression and anxiety is observing if the trend continues. If your friend or family member continue showing signs of these symptoms, they are most likely depressed or anxious. Depression and anxiety are often difficult to tell apart. They are very different disorders, though. This is because depression feels like there is a huge weight on you that you cannot get off. It becomes pointless to attempt certain tasks, even as simple as getting out of bed. Anxiety on the other hand, feels as if there are a million butterflies in your stomach having an all out battle.The smallest things can set you off and cause an anxiety attack. When these occur, it is difficult to think, communicate, or even perform simple tasks. If you notice these types of behavior in a friend or family member, it would be wise to bring them to a professional in order to help them overcome and fight depression and anxiety.

Another thing about these disorders that makes them hard to identify is the many different types of depression and anxiety that exist today. Some of the most common are seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, social anxiety, performance anxiety, and panic disorders. All of these conditions have different symptoms, and affect the victims in different ways. People with performance anxiety only experience it when they are called upon to perform a task in front of a large group or audience. Women with postpartum depression start to feel trapped and scared after giving birth. All of these conditions are different, and their diversity makes pinpointing exactly what is wrong with someone and what, if any prescription drug for depression they need difficult.

The best thing you can do to help yourself or someone you believe to be suffering from one or both of these disorders is to recommend them to a psychiatrist or a professional in the field of mental disorders. Being proactive is the first step to recovery, and not everyone suffering will take that first step. So take the time to recognize these symptoms in order to help those who may be in need.

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It is a natural weight loss product that prevents the storage of fat after a meal is consumed and prevents fat synthesis. It leads to an increase of lipolysis and it breaks down fat and burns more calories.

Of course, the supplement is much better than consuming raspberries, as the fruit is not available all the year round and needs to be consumed in huge quantities, such as about 90 pounds of the fruit to equal the dosage. Moreover, they are also not native to many countries, and if refrigerated they lose their freshness and nutritional benefits.

You can buy the Raspberry Ketone weight loss supplements in many stores all over the US. However, the amount to be consumed could be rather large. Some of the raspberry ketones contain filler ingredients that are of no use and do not have any value. You need to avoid those containing caffeine or artificial sugar, as they can affect your health negatively, leading to side effects.

It is claimed that the weight loss product reduces the capacity of the small intestine in absorbing dietary fat. This occurs due to reduced lipase activity in the pancreas. However, the downside to this is that the result could be the undesirable side effect of loose stools. Additionally, it has also not been revealed as to the amount of the ‘miracle’ fat burner that was fed to the mice. The calculations show that a substantial amount of dosage is required in order to be effective in humans. A typical human will need to consume about 57 capsules of 150 mg in a day to get an effective dose. To add to the problem, the cost of one bottle containing 180 capsules is $15, so a person wanting to take these diet pills would have to spend about$142 every month. So, you could also say the product is a money burner rather than a fat burner.

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The problem is that the studies that dictated the need to decrease salt intake were done on healthy people. The people who have the highest chance of heart disease, however, are obese people, who are not healthy. Their reduced salt intake may just not be enough to help them to decrease their incidence of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiac issues that lead to hospitalization and/or death. That is why you want to think about moderation in all things, including your salt intake.

The study suggests that people that use salt moderately have the lowest risk, but again, this study was done on healthy people, rather than people who are obese. A higher risk of cardiac death and congestive heart failure were found in those subjects that had a very low salt intake and very high salt intake. The studies were not able to show that decreasing salt intake had favorable results in patients. Keeping your salt intake in the moderate range is the goal that you want to have.

This is not cause to increase your salt intake, however. Studies are still being conducted to determine the exact reasoning for these study results to ensure that doctors are able to give the best information to their patients. By cutting down your processed food consumption, eating more fresh foods, and eating salt in moderate amounts, you should be able to get healthier and reduce your chances of cardiac problems and even death.

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Depression is more than just “feeling sad” — and is treatable with a variety of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Many senior citizens are given a “depression cocktail” to alleviate their symptoms and get them on the road to living a higher quality lifestyle.

Senior Study Results

Reducing depression is known to also reduce risk of suicide — but now, a recent study has revealed that depression is also putting seniors at an increased risk for car accidents.

This study, run over a course of 7 years, reviewed 160,000 car crashes involving senior citizen drivers. Of those accidents, five percent of the seniors had been prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. This does not mean that every senior citizen prescribed an antidepressant will get into a car accident. What it does mean is there is an indication of an increased risk for senior citizens who have just started a “depression cocktail” or one of the newer antidepressant drugs.

Cause Culprits

The study was published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, a peer-reviewed journal. It found that three classes of drugs appeared to be associated with an increased risk of vehicle crashes — SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRIs (Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), and Benzodiazepines (sedatives). This increased risk lasted about three months after beginning treatment with these medications, which is about the same time it takes for a senior to become adjusted to a new medication for depression treatment.

Untreated depression involves a lack of concentration, increased suicide risk, and an overall lowered quality of life. The findings of this study should not stop a senior from getting treatment for depression. The increased risk of car crashes may be significant, but the risks of depression are far greater.
Additionally, the study is a comprehensive data study that demonstrates an increased risk — however, the cause of the crashes could not be definitively determined, as the individuals involved were not interviewed.

It may be wise for seniors starting on an SSRI, SNRI, or Benzodiazepine to allow three months of adjustment to the medication where he or she does not drive until they are aware of how the medication(s) affect their ability to concentrate and reflexes.

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Asthma Defined

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes airways to swell and restrict breathing. Stress, pollen, cold air, smog, and other environmental factors can cause asthma symptoms to worsen.

Yet in some cases, it would seem that children “outgrow” their asthma, and are no longer bothered by asthmatic symptoms. Or, an adult with asthma seems to have it “disappear” once they’re out of a certain environment, such as a factory. However, a recent study suggests that this change in a person’s health status is not a permanent change, and that asthma will eventually return after a period of remission.

Study Findings

A study conducted over 15 years, reviewing the health records of 600,000 patients of all age groups (children and adults) discovered that over 75% of patients who experienced remission with their asthma had relapses. This lead researchers to conclude that asthma is, in fact, a life-long condition, and patients should continue medical treatment as their doctor’s advise, even after symptoms seem to disappear. This means that, during remission periods, a patient should continue to see their doctor to report the absence of symptoms, and follow their care plan changes as their physician prescribes. In other words, if a patient has an asthma diagnosis, he or she should report it on all of their medically pertinent forms, even if they are in remission (asymptomatic for a long period of time).

Researchers also stated that, had the study reviewed a longer period of time, the return rate of asthma would have been close to or at 100%.

Additionally, the period that children often experience in adolescence where they are asymptomatic is not “outgrowing” asthma. Clinical and laboratory measurements demonstrate that these teens still have asthma, but are simply not symptomatic. In other words, there is a period of remission. The asthma will return eventually — even if it takes many years.

Asthma seems to be a life-long condition rather than something a person can “outgrow” — if a patient maintains an awareness of this, and continues treatment per their doctor’s instructions, a high quality of life can be achieved and maintained.

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Here are the top 9 benefits to drinking water:

Maintains Fluid Balance

Water plays a major role in your body, including digestion, circulation, saliva production, nutrient transportation and the maintenance of body temperature.  When you are feeling a bit dehydrated, your kidneys send a trigger to your brain to tell it that you’re thirsty.   Keeping that balance is essential for performing at your best.

Lose Weight

Water indirectly assists you with losing weight.  By choosing water over a high-calorie soda, you are consuming fewer calories during the day.  Also, getting a glass of water and staving off the craving of high-fat, high-calorie foods can help reduce weight.

Provides Energy

Dehydration occurs when your body has excreted or expelled too much water through sweating or through your body’s natural function.  When your cells don’t have enough water, they don’t function as well as they do when they are adequately hydrated.   Those few glasses of water rehydrate the cells and give an extra boost of energy, encouraging productivity.

Healthier Skin

Like the cells in your body, your skin cells function better when they are well hydrated.  Dehydrated skin starts to wrinkle, though over-hydration doesn’t completely remove the effects of wrinkles.   Get a good moisturizer to lock the water in.

Assists in Digestion

Water helps your stomach break down all of the nutrients in solid foods.  Drink water with your meals and after your meals to help your tummy process the healthy (and possibly unhealthy) food that you’re eating.

Maintains Bowel Function

Water helps your body further down the digestive tract, as well.  When your colon does not have enough water, it takes the water from the stool, leading to constipation and other bowel troubles.

Less Sickness

An extra glass or two of water helps your kidneys remove toxins from the bloodstream.  Toxins are also secreted in sweat, reducing your likelihood of sickness.

Cushion for Joints

Water bolsters the fluids around your joints, making them more flexible, lowering any potential inflammation.  It is advised to drink a little extra water before exercising to make up for your body’s sweating.

Headache Remedy

The primary cause of headaches is dehydration.  This is why one of the classic hangover cures is to have a couple glasses of water and an aspirin.

So Drink Up!

The recommended daily allowance of water might be in question, but the health benefits definitely aren’t.  Drinking water instead of the high calorie sodas has been shown to help you lose weight, cushion your joints, and reduce headaches.  It’s also accessible, making it one of nature’s perfect substances.

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A recent University of Texas at Austin study, however, suggests that if you eat mindfully, you can reduce the calorie and fat intake when dining out. In the study, healthy, premenopausal women, who ate out at least three times a week, attended six weekly sessions on nutrition and preventing weight gain. In the sessions, the participants discussed eating-out strategies. Women who participated in the program managed to cut their daily intake by 297 calories, about half of which were from eating out sessions. This cut in calories resulted in an average loss of 3.7 pounds from their waist.

The following are some strategies on how to cut calories when you eat out:

1. Do your research beforehand. Most chain restaurants have their nutritional and calorie information on their website. If not, ask for the nutritional information at the restaurant.
2. Make sure your grilled meat, fish or chicken is not grilled with butter or oil!
3. Choose tomato-based pasta dishes rather than creamy ones (like Alfredo sauce)
4. Stick with broth based soups instead of cream ones
5. Order sandwiches with whole grain bread
6. Order steamed vegetables, green salad or steamed brown rice instead of French fries.
7. Request lower-fat items even if they’re not on the menu, such as fat-reduced salad dressing or berries for dessert.
8. Ask for dressings, gravies and condiments on the side.
9. Request your meal be prepared without added salt, MSG or sodium containing ingredients such as soy sauce and broths.
10. Order two appetizers, or an appetizer and a side salad, instead of a large meal.
11. Cut down on starchy menus by skipping the bread, ordering a half-portion of pasta or asking for extra vegetables instead of potatoes and rice.
12. Slow down your pace. Chew your meal fully after every bite.
13. Stop eating when you feel satisfied, not full. It takes twenty minutes for your brain to get the signal that your stomach has had enough.

By following the above tips, in tandem with an exercise program, you will be able to eat out guilt-free while maintaining or achieving a healthy weight!

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In addition to news about food, 2011 also witnessed some news about supplements and vitamins, which were internationally recognized as necessary to reach complete nutrition requirements.   Specifically, calcium supplements were scientifically linked to heart attacks.  This is troubling, since calcium supplements are frequently taken by women to protect bones.  In the study, women were given calcium and vitamin D supplements to asses risk of hip fracture.  Those women who began taking calcium supplements for the study, and who did not take the supplements prior to the study, were at a greater risk of a heart attack.  The medical researchers speculate that this is because a sudden change in calcium blood levels can clog arteries and lead to a heart attack.  Therefore, instead of reaching for the vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis related fractures, consider trying a prescription drug, such as Estrace.

However, calcium supplements were not the only nutritional supplements to receive a bad reputation.   Vitamin E, once thought to guard against prostate cancer, actually slightly increases the risk.  The medical study found that prostate cancer rate was 17 percent greater in the group that took vitamin E, which was deemed as statistically significant.  There was no increased risk when vitamin E and selenium were taken together.  The study suggests that high-dose vitamin supplements may be harmful.

With all the above in mind, venture into the new year with a mindset to optimize nutritional intake, by eating lots of “real” fruits and vegetables, and with a new awareness of some potentially hazardous vitamin supplements.  Instead of high-dose vitamins, look for normal dose and reliable vitamins, such as A Day Fruit Essentials Gummy

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