1. Removal of Ovaries During Hysterectomy Questioned

A new article questions the conventional practice of oophorectomy, or removal of the ovaries during hysterectomy, for some patients saying it may cause more harm than good.

2. Vaccinating Kids Helps All of Us

Widespread vaccination of kids against the flu helps keep people of all ages in the wider community healthier, probably because kids are more likely to spread germs around when playing than adults are in their regular activities.

3. A Little Wine Keeps Pounds Away

Women who start out at a healthy weight and drink a light or moderate amount of alcohol will gain less weight over time than women who abstain, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

4. Childrens Learning Abilities Affected by Anesthesia

Repeated anesthesia can impair childrens memory and, therefore, their ability to learn, says a new Swedish study.

(By CalorieLab editors)

From the RSS feed of CalorieLab News (REF3076322B7)

Lab Notes: Removal of Ovaries During Hysterectomy Questioned; Vaccinating Kids Helps All of Us

As the weather begins to warm up and you start packing those winter clothes away, you’ll probably want to start thinking about starting your summer diet. Fortunately, it’s much easier to stay motivated in your diet plans as the cold weather goes away. Winter tends to keep us indoors, and being indoors can lead to eating out of boredom. You’ll also find that your eating habits start to change as winter fades. People are less likely to opt for hearty foods when the weather isn’t cold. If you’re wanting to lose weight fast for the summer, follow some of these tips and watch as you shed pounds.

1. Drink Lots of Water

The first step in any diet is to be certain that you’re consuming enough water. Dehydration can often be confused with hunger. When you feel yourself becoming hungry, drink several ounces of water. If you still feel hungry ten minutes later, have something to eat. Drinking water keeps you from overeating.

2. Snack on Fruit

There’s nothing better–and healthier–than enjoying a nice piece of fruit as a snack. Not only are fruits sweet and tasty, certain kinds of fruit, like berries and apples, are full of fiber to keep hunger at bay. If you find yourself becoming tired of standard fruits, like apples and grapes, shake things up a little with more exotic kinds. Try mango, star fruit and papaya. You can also chop up a variety of fruits and mix them together for a delicious fruit salad. If you’re looking for something different, put some grapes in the freezer. They’ll make a nice frozen snack or light dessert later on in the day.

3. Write Down What You Eat

As the weather warms, outdoor activities start to gear up. Spring is a time for hot dogs at baseball games and ice cream cones at the park. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to enjoy these things–it simply has to be done in moderation. You can afford yourself the calories to indulge in typical “warm weather” foods if you keep a consistent food diary. Write down everything you eat and keep track of the calories. If you know you’re going to be attending a baseball game on the weekend and are craving a hot dog and french fries, plan your calories accordingly. Eat a small piece of fruit with a class of skim milk for breakfast and a small salad for lunch. Don’t deny yourself. Instead, give and take a little.

4. Stick to Whole Grains and Lean Protein for Main Courses

When it comes to lunch and dinner, you want to eat clean, nutrient-rich foods. Stick to lean sources of protein, like chicken, fish and turkey, for your meats. Skip the white bread and rice. Instead, eat brown rice and whole wheat pastas as your side dishes. Worried about becoming bored? Buy a variety of spices and herbs to keep your dishes full of flavor. Cutting out processed foods is one of the easiest ways to shrink your waistline.

Combine these tips with a regular workout regimen and you can expect to lose that winter weight.

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Swimsuit season is just around the corner, and you may be on a search for effective summer diet tips to get your body ready for the beach. Weight loss occurs when you eat less than you burn. Usually, effective and permanent weight loss requires some changes in your lifestyle. The dietary pointers below can help you achieve your summer weight loss goals.

Be Mindful of Your Calorie Intake

For an average adult, you can eat about 1,500 to 1,600 calories per day without gaining weight. If you keep your daily caloric intake between 1,200 and 1,300, you can lose weight without changing your activity level. Make sure you do not become too drastic about reducing calories. Being too stingy on food may increase your stress level, so that you always crave food, and makes you more likely to rebound after the first few days.

Reading the nutritional panel on your food products is a great way to keep track of your calorie intake and prevent over eating. When you do you calorie estimates, make sure you take serving sizes into account. Some products may look diet friendly, but the low calorie count may only be because of a minuscule amount of food in each serving.

Eat Healthy, Balanced Meals

Having a nutritious breakfast is essential to any weight loss plan. Skipping breakfast makes you more likely to overeat during the day, and puts you at higher risks for fat storage. To effectively lose weight, you should front load your calories by eating a hearty breakfast consisting mostly of complex carbohydrates and proteins. Keep your breakfast intake around 500 calories with a slice of whole grain toast, an egg, a cup of nonfat milk, a slice of breakfast ham and a serving of fruit. This is a great way to kick start your metabolism and keep your body energized for your daily activities.

Change your eating habit from having 3 big meals a day to 5 smaller meals. Munching on diet friendly snacks like nonfat yogurts, fruits and a few nuts (2 to 3 hours after breakfast and lunch) helps your body maintain a high resting metabolism, and prevents you from overeating.

Dinner should be eaten early and should be kept light and small portioned. Your metabolism is significantly slower at night, which makes your body more likely to convert calories into fat. 

Make Smarter Food Choices

Fried food, heavy sauces and creams, buttery rolls and desserts are all taboo to weight loss. They are full of saturated fats, salt and sugar, with almost no nutritional value. Opt for steamed, grilled or baked entrees and light salad dressings. These are best in preserving food nutrition and eliminating excess calories.

Substitute fish and white meat for red meats. These are much lower in calories and fat than the latter, and they are rich in proteins that satisfy your taste buds and your tummy.

Make sure you eat a lot of vegetables and fruits for fiber, vitamins and minerals. Veggies and fruits are highly nutrient dense and only a few calories. Vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and celery, and fruits like orange, plums and strawberries can keep you feeling full and are wonderful for weight loss.

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A well-toned summer body looks good in a summer dress, skimpy shorts or a bikini. Summer, unlike other seasons, requires fewer layers of clothing and more skin exposure. Effective toning exercises are important in achieving a beautiful summer body. These toning exercises are meant to target the parts of the body that are usually exposed come summertime–legs, thighs, belly and arms.

1. Squats and Lunges

These are simple exercises that do wonders to the butt, thighs and calves. Squats are done by standing with feet apart at a width similar to the shoulders. Inhale and bend the knees until your rear end is at a sitting level. Execute this while contracting the butt muscle. Posture is important. Keep your back and head straight. Exhale and return to the starting position. For lunges, the starting point is standing up with feet together. Inhale and move your feet forward in a lunge position. The bended knee should form a 90 degree angle and should be directly above the ankle. The other knee should be dropped straight to the ground. Return to the starting position by using the front leg to push back. The same is done on the other leg.

2. Dumbbell Curls

This exercise is perfect for toning the arms. This uses dumbbells. The weight of the dumbbells depends on the preference of the individual performing the exercise. The starting position is standing up with feet apart in a width equivalent to the shoulders. Hold the dumbbells  at waist height with the palms facing up. Make sure that your elbows are close to your sides. Lift the weights up bringing them as close to your shoulders as possible. Inhale and return to the starting position.

3. Cardio exercises

Cardio exercises, when alternated with weights, maximize the amount of calorie burned and the muscles built. Some of the cardio exercises are jumping jacks and jumping ropes. Running on a treadmill is also a great calorie burning exercise. Running up and down the stairs is great for toning the legs, thighs and butt.

4. Abdominal Exercises

Crunches and sit-ups are good for toning abdominal muscles. These exercises are executed while lying down face up. There are several variations for these exercises. Crunches may be done while legs are up in the air, slanting diagonally. The best place to put the hands is behind the head with elbows on the sides. This prevents neck muscle strain. Lift the upper body by using the strength drawn from abdominal muscles and touch the right elbow to the left knee then touch the left elbow to the right knee. Go back to the starting position and repeat as necessary.

One of the variations for sit-ups is with the knees bent in a reverse V. Again the best places for the hands are behind the head. Lift the entire lower body to a sitting position. Go back to the starting position and repeat as necessary.

For a beautiful summer body, not only is the right exercise important but also the right attitude. Dedication and consistency go a long way.

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Every year winter comes, and leaves its deposits around your yard, and your body. By mid-spring, the panic ensues as you realize that the summer clothes will need to be pulled out of their hiding places soon, and there is no way they are going to fit. Once again, it’s time to push your cardio to its limit. 

Here is a list of 6 cardio moves that will help you get your summer body fast:

1. Spinning

Get out your bike shoes and stretch those legs, because spinning is a high intensity cardio workout that will burn the calories fast!  Spinning is a challenging group exercise class on a stationary bike, usually set to some fast paced music. During the session, the instructor will take you on a simulated bike ride through hills, mountains, and races. Because you are using your legs the entire time, and your legs are your biggest muscles, you will burn more calories through spinning than many other forms of cardio. Many spin classes add interval training to the agenda, building you up to climb hills and mountains, then bringing you down to a pace track.

2. Jumping Rope

The exercise you did for fun back in grade school is still considered one of the best endurance workouts.  The only equipment necessary is a jump rope, and in about 20 minutes, you will have burned fat, improved coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular performance.

3. Sprinting

A great way to burn calories fast, and boost your metabolism to continue to burn fat, is through sprinting. This is another exercise that can be done anywhere, and does not require any special equipment. Sprinting is simply running very fast for a short period of time, then slowing down, then building back to a fast run again. These changes in pace are the same basis that interval training follows, working your body with a combination of both high and low intensity changes mixed into one workout.

4. Step Aerobics

Step aerobics is an oldie but a goodie. In just 30 minutes, you can burn about 400 calories with step aerobics. Plus, as an added benefit, you will tone your legs, glutes, and slim your hips. Most fitness centers offer a variety of step classes to fit most any schedule. Step aerobics also requires a steady core, so you will tighten those abs and increase coordination at the same time.

5. Swimming

Swimming can be a great way to burn calories.  Swimming requires use of your entire body, therefore using more energy and burning more calories.  In about 30 minutes of doing the breast stroke, you can burn up to 400 calories.  Swimming is a great choice for cross-training because it is easy on your joints. 

6. Running

Running is perhaps the simplist cardio move of all. The only requirement is a pair of comfortable running shoes, and it can be done inside or out. Treadmills allow runners to vary workouts in ways that can’t be duplicated outdoors. Varying the pace, and the incline on the treadmill, can give the runner a higher impact workout, and allow for interval training to be incorporated into it. Running outside gives the runner the opportunity to get some fresh air, while enjoying the changing scenery. Whether you choose inside or outside, you can burn an average of 300 calories in about 30 minutes.

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Winter drags on and on, but then all of a sudden summer is around the corner and you realize you need to get in shape fast to wear that bikini. So, how do you get a summer body in just one month? There are several things that you can do to get your body toned and slimmed in a month, as long as you are committed to achieving your goals.

Commit to Change

The first thing that you must do to get that summer body is to commit to making the changes necessary to get it. You can’t just wish your body into shape; you must devote the time and be ready to sacrifice to achieve the results you want. Lack of committment is probably the biggest reason women fail to reach their weight loss goals. If you have the motivation and the committment, you have already cleared the biggest hurdle to getting your body in shape for summer.

Exercise

Of course no shape-up plan is complete without some type of exercise program. The amount and kinds of exercise you must do will vary depending on your weight loss goals, but cardio and toning need to be part of every plan. To determine how much cardio you need, you must first determine how much weight you want to lose. There are 3,500 calories in a pound, so for each pound you want to lose, you will need to burn 3,500 calories. The type of cardio isn’t exactly important, but high impact will burn more calories faster, so if you only have a month to burn the fat – choose high impact. Spinning, step aerobics, running and swimming are all excellent choices to burn fat. To maximize your fat burning, be sure to cross train, doing at least two different cardio activities each week. Cardio should be performed at least 3 times a week for 45 – 60 minutes each session.

Toning is the second part of the body shape puzzle. As you burn the fat, you must add toning exercises to build the muscle. Toning exercises involve using your body weight or stationary weights to work a muscle, which will give it a sculptured look. These exercises should not be done on consecutive days because you want to give your body time to repair itself between work-outs. Work on your problem areas 3 – 5 times per week for 20 – 30 minutes. Squats are great for legs and butts; push-ups will tone your arms, back, shoulders and chest; and crunches will get those abs tightened and toned.

Diet 

Diet is the four letter word that every woman hates, but it must be done to get the summer body you desire. There are dozens and dozens of fad diets to choose from, but the bottom line is this: weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you take in, regardless of which diet you choose. The best advice is to eat healthy, well balanced meals to keep your energy level up and your body in top shape to exercise.  Starving yourself can actually cause you to gain weight, as your body fights back, so be sure to eat regular meals, but in sensible portions. Fill up on raw foods, and keep the processed foods where they belong – on the shelf in the grocery store.

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With the season of plenty approaching soon, summer fruits are just about ripe for picking. Though in this day and age, you can pretty much get perennial supply of fruits, freshly harvested fruits are not only less expensive, but are also higher in nutritional quality. Fruits contain an abundance of fiber and essential vitamins your body needs to keep proper function, and you should take care to incorporate 2 to 4 servings of fruits everyday in your diet plans.

Here are 6 vitamin-rich fruits you should eat this summer:

1. Kiwi

Kiwi is low in calories, high in fiber, and it has a tremendous and variety of vitamins and minerals. One average sized kiwi holds less than 60 calories while supplying you with 11% of the recommended daily value (RDV) for fiber, 2% of vitamin A, 7% of vitamin E, and 2% to 6% of vitamin essential B vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, folate and niacin. However, the true celebrity status of kiwi comes from its content of vitamin C and vitamin K. Eating one kiwi provides as much as 46% of vitamin K and can exceed your RDV for vitamin C at 141%.

2. Strawberries

Strawberries are also extremely high in vitamin C. You can get about 141% RDV of this vitamin by eating just a cupful of strawberries. In terms of other nutrients, 1 cup of strawberries holds comparable amounts and varieties of vitamins as kiwi. Strawberries are not as high in vitamin K, but it does contain pantothenic acid, which is not present in kiwi.

3. Raspberries

Raspberries are also very nutritiously dense. They have more fiber than either kiwi or strawberry, with as much as 32% RDV per cup of strawberries. Raspberries also contain a rich variety of vitamins and minerals. They are considered a wonderful source for manganese, which has strong antioxidant functions to protect your cells from free radicals. Each cupful gives you about 41% RDV for this essential nutrient.

4. Blueberries

Adding a handful of blueberries to your yogurt or salad is a very healthy nutritional idea. They are low in calories, high in fiber, and have an abundance of vitamins and minerals. A cup of blueberries supplies you with a 24% RDV for vitamin C and 36% RDV for vitamin K.

5. Papayas

Papayas are originally cultivated in Central and South America, and in Southeast Asia. They are considered one of the more exotic summer fruits. Papaya are not only sweet tasting, but also very rich in nutrients. It is especially high in vitamin A, vitamin C and folate. Each cup of papaya supplies you with 31% RDV for vitamin A, 144% of vitamin C and 13% of folate.

6. Oranges

Oranges are sweet, plump and juicy in summer and are super nutritious. Oranges contain just about all varieties of vitamins found in other fruits, with the exception of vitamin K. It is an exceptional source of vitamin C, thiamin and folate. Each cupful of orange sections contribute to 160% of vitamin C, 10% of thiamin and 14% of folate.

So when you want something sweet and refreshing this summer, choose one of these vitamin-rich fruits. They can satisfy both your sweet tooth as well as your nutritional necessity.

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A juicy orange or a handful of grapes on a hot summer day is so refreshing that finding reasons to enjoy fresh summer fruit is easy.

Reason 1: It’s Delicious

Summer fruits have innumerable ways of being tastefully eaten. You might be saying to yourself, “Why summer? I eat fruit all year around.” That is true, but fruit at its core is seasonally grown…and tastes a little better after it has been grown and harvested in a natural setting. Many fruits come to fruition and tasty ripeness during the summer months, with strawberries or watermelon highlighting the abundance.

Reason 2: Healthy Eating

Nutritional value is key for a proper diet and healthy lifestyle. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) gives three reasons to eat fresh summer fruit and they are: the fruit is packed with vitamins, fiber, minerals and other essential nutrients, a diet rich in fruits will help fend off chronic diseases and finally, fruit are low in calories and taste great. How can anyone argue with that?

Reason 3: Fun with the Family

Summer is a time of picnics, barbecues and family fun around the dinner table. So fruits and their many uses, generally ranging from drinks to foods, can be a great way to have the family diet be both healthy and enjoyable. The attitude sometimes with children is that we must force a healthy diet. No forcing has to happen and shouldn’t because something like fresh fruit can add flavor and goodness to summer dishes. Kids love cut up cherries in their yogurt. Adding fruit to something else can definitely bring out the flavor.

Reason 4: The Best is Local and Organic

This reason has several implications. One being that it helps the local economy, but another is that you can probably go pick the fruit yourself. Going to a blueberry patch on a sunny, summer day and picking a basket full of berries is fun. This goes back to reason 3…summer fruits represent fantastic taste and fun for the family. Because the fruit may be local, it carries a feeling of extra freshness.

Reason 5: History

Fresh fruit was a delicacy when a ship would cross the ocean in search of new lands. It carried with it the nutrition needed for health and that desired quenching effect. The fruits of a farmer’s labor has been a key in every historical period. Good food makes for a good life.

In a nutshell, summer fruit is pure enjoyment. So enjoy this delicious treat while filling up on important nutrients!

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Aside from the sun and surfing, one of the best things to look forward to during the sunny months is summer fruit. Oranges, mandarins, and other citrus fruits are chockfull of Vitamin C. Berries not only contain vitamins, their pigments have phytochemicals and flavanoids that can help combat cancer. Melon fruits, such as honeydew and watermelon, are not only juicy and thirst-quenching, they’re also an excellent natural source of dietary fiber. 

It’s best to take advantage of these months, and enjoy these seasonal offerings by adding them to your daily diet. Here are 5 ways to make sure you get your fill of summer fruits this season:

1. Enjoy Them Fresh

There is nothing better than enjoying a slice of watermelon on a hot summer day, or curling up with a bowlful of your favorite berries. Instead of reaching for a glass of juice, bite into a fresh juicy fruit to quench your thirst. Make it a habit to consume at least one portion of these fresh fruits while you can.

2. Add Them to Your Summer Barbecue

It’s not only the burgers and skewers that belong on the grill; you can throw in some fruits on the coal and enjoy a more tropical barbecue treat. You can add some pineapples and peaches on the skewers along with the barbecue. You can also serve these grilled fruits with some wafers and fresh cream for a unique barbecue dessert.

3. Add  Them to Your Cereal

There’s nothing better than waking up to a healthy and fresh breakfast. Add some fresh and dried fruits to your breakfast cereal for a truly refreshing pick-me-up. You’ll find that your bowlful of flakes is tastier with some fresh bananas and berries, raisins and dried apricots. It’s the perfect way to combine your much-needed fiber and vitamin content in one bowl.

4. Put Them in Salad

Of course you can make your staple fruit salad during the hot season. It’s quick, easy and healthy. Simply put together some of your favorite citrus and berries in a bowl, add some cream or light dressing, and enjoy it fresh. But this is not the only way to enjoy fresh summer fruit in salad. You can also simply use the fruits as toppings to your favorite salad. Give your Ceasar or Garden salad an extra kick by mixing in some pineapples, kiwi, mangoes or apples.

5. Add Them to the to Main Dish

Rarely would you see fruits along with main dishes, but there are many delectable entrees out there that have fresh summer fruit in their recipes.  Find out how to make a Pineapple Chicken dish, or try your kitchen prowess by stir-frying pork with some apricots or apples. If you’re not that adventurous, you can always just whip up a homemade pizza topped with fresh pineapples.

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• 5 Reasons to Enjoy Fresh Summer Fruit
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If you are trying to lose the extra weight and get ready for the beach, switching from ice cream cones to summer fruits is definitely necessary. Fruits are naturally sweet, and they are most nutritious and tasty when harvested in season. The best fruits for weight loss are the ones that are the most filling, with a low calorie count per serving, and high amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals that can promote faster metabolism. Below are the 6 types of fruits you should consider for your diet plan.

1. Strawberries

Strawberries are at the top of list for weight loss. They pack significant amounts of nutrition into very little calories. A cup of strawberries has only about 50 calories, but it gives you 3 grams of fiber to make your stomach feel full. It is also a great source of vitamin C, folate, potassium and manganese. These vitamins and minerals all play important roles in promoting efficient metabolism.

2. Raspberries

Adding a handful of raspberries on top of your yogurt or salad not only makes your food more tasty, it can also help suppress your appetite. Raspberries contain more fiber per serving than most all other fruits. Each cup is about 64 calories, but it holds 8 grams of fiber, which is more than 30% of your daily need. It is also loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and an array of other vitamins and minerals.

3. Oranges

Eating a freshly picked orange rather than drinking orange juice is a smart diet move. Oranges are sweet, juicy and plump, keeping you well hydrated without artificially added sugar. Oranges are also highly nutrient dense. Each cup of orange sections consists of about 85 calories and 5 grams of fiber. Oranges are also extremely rich in vitamin C, thiamin and folate, which all help you convert food into energy.

4. Pears

Pears, especially Asian pears, are extremely sweet and refreshing, but contribute very little to your total calorie count. A medium sized fruit has less than 60 calories and gives you 4 grams of fiber. It is a super fruit for weight loss, especially if you eat a whole pear with its peel. The skin of a pear contains high level of insoluble fiber, which makes you feel fuller and promotes faster transit of food through your intestines.

5. Papayas

Papayas are one of the most exotic summer fruits. They originate from either Central America or Southeast Asia. Papayas are fleshy with a sweet tart taste, and also make a great addition to your yogurt. A cup of papaya cubes has only about 55 calories with 3 grams of fiber. Papayas are high in vitamin A and C, folate and potassium. It can help promote healthy vision, faster metabolism and reduce your stress level.

6. Cantaloupes

A cupful of cantaloupe has only about 60 calories, but this serving size is enough to keep you feeling full for a long time. Cantaloupes are nutritiously dense with a significant amount of essential vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, C and potassium. It is also a good source of fiber, niacin, folate, vitamin B6 and choline. It has great stress reducing functions, which can also help suppress your appetite.

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