1. Bone Drugs Could Raise Risk of Throat Cancer

Drugs for the prevention of osteoporosis taken for many years may slightly increase the risk of developing throat cancer.

2. One Dose Antimalarial Drug Effective in Mice

An experimental antimalarial drug has been developed that fights against several strains of the parasitic disease, including many of those that have become resistance to standard drugs.

3. New Research Helps Docs Understand, Treat Insomnia

New comprehensive guidelines for recognizing and treating insomnia indicate that drug therapy is not the best solution.

4. Chronic Insomnia Increases Risk of Death in Men

Chronic insomnia coupled with a short sleep duration significantly increase the risk of death in men, according to a new study.

(By CalorieLab editors)

Lab Notes: Bone Drugs Could Raise Risk of Throat Cancer; One Dose Antimalarial Drug Effective in Mice is a post from: CalorieLab Diet News

Now being added to that list of factors: inflammation, the heat and swelling that is our body’s friend when it fights viruses or infections, but just the opposite when it takes off on its own, especially when it mistakes the body for an enemy and launches a defensive assault.

The most visible results of this malfunction are arthritis, asthma, allergies and gum disease, but uncontrolled inflammation also commonly precedes diabetes, which is associated with heart disease and aids the growth and spread of cancer.

What tends to trigger unwarranted inflammation? Start with obesity in general, because of its effects on the liver, and then single out sugar, white flour, high-fructose corn syrup, corn and soybean oils, and trans fats as leading culprits in particular.

In other words, inflammation thrives on the basic American junk food diet, which is more than can be said for those who live on it. One study found that just eating a 900-calorie fast-food breakfast sends the body’s inflammation markers soaring for four hours.

Your best defenses against such inflammation spikes are a diet short on simple carbs and long on fruits and high-fiber meals, and exercise to burn fats and reduce stress, another inflammation-feeder. Of course, a healthy diet and regular exercise are your best defenses against a great number of unpleasant things.

Source:
“The Hidden Cause Of Disease;” Sara Reistad-Long; Parade’s Healthy Style supplement; July/August, 2010, p. 6.

(By Robert S. Wieder for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News):

Obesity and Disease: The Inflammation Connection is a post from: CalorieLab Diet News

A cantaloupe is a type of melon that belongs to the cucumber family. Cantaloupes can have a light yellow-orange color or a deeper salmon hue. Known for its low calorie content and sweet and enticing aroma, cantaloupes are the most popular kind of melons in the US. Cantaloupes are usually best during the summer months. Here are some health benefits that you can enjoy when snacking on cantaloupes:

1. Great Source of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene

If you are looking to incorporate vitamin A sources into your diet then cantaloupes will make a great addition to your food plan. In fact, cantaloupes contain concentrated amounts of beta-carotene. The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. Both nutrients are essential for the maintenance of healthy eyesight. In a study that included more than 50,000 women whose ages ranged from 45 to 67, it was found that those who consumed high amounts of vitamin A on a daily basis reduced their risk of developing cataracts by as much as 40%. Those women who ate cantaloupes as a regular part of their diet also had a lower risk of surgery from cataracts. On the contrary, women whose diets included a lot of salt, butter and unhealthy fats had a higher risk of cataract surgery. Research has also shown that there may be a possible link between beta-carotene and cancer prevention.

2. Great Source of Vitamin C

Aside from being a significant source of vitamin A, cantaloupes are also good sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which functions in the water-soluble parts of the body. As you know, antioxidants help fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals spread damage to your cells, causing diseases and signs of aging. Vitamin C also strengthens your immune system by stimulating your white blood cells. Your white blood cells are responsible for killing viruses, bacteria and other foreign elements that seek to enter your body.

3. Promotes the Health of Your Lungs

A recent study showed that consumption of a vitamin A-rich food like cantaloupe is also beneficial to smokers. If you’re a smoker or someone who is constantly exposed to second-hand smoke then you might want to make cantaloupes a regular part of your diet. One of the carcinogens found in cigarette smoke reportedly created a vitamin A deficiency in the body. When you start incorporating more vitamin A into your diet, the deficiency is reversed and you also lower your risk of developing lung diseases like emphysema.

4. Prevents Cardiovascular Disease

Cantaloupes are also rich in a compound called adenosine. Adenosine is typically administered to patients who have heart disease since this compound has blood-thinning properties. When your blood is thin, you can prevent blood-clotting in the cardiovascular system. The folate present in cantaloupes and all types of melons also help in preventing a heart attack.

5. Reduces Stress

Cantaloupe might also be an ideal fruit to eat during those times when you are feeling anxious and stressed. Cantaloupe is rich in potassium which normalizes the heartbeat and promotes the supply of oxygen to the brain. As a result, you feel more relaxed and focused.

Related posts:

• 3 Beauty Benefits of Cantaloupe
• How Cancer Can Be Caused By Beta Carotene
• The Health Benefits of Eating Root Vegetables

Cantaloupe is a tasty treat that is often included in many varieties of summer fruit salads. And while cantaloupe is very delicious, not many people realize that it also contains numerous beauty benefits. No matter if you are interested in losing weight or keeping your skin looking great, cantaloupe may be just the fruit for you.

Weight Loss

Weight loss is one of the best ways that cantaloupe can help to increase your natural beauty. This works in a number of ways. First, as with most other fruits and vegetables, cantaloupe is relatively low in calories. This means that you can eat a high amount of cantaloupe and still keep your daily caloric intake under control. Another way that cantaloupe helps you lose weight is due to its high fiber content. Eating a lot of fiber is essential for you if you are interested in losing weight or simply maintaining your current weight. Fiber helps in weight loss goals due to the fact that it is very slow digesting. This means that it takes a long time for fiber to leave your stomach and enter your digestive tract, thereby making you feel full for a longer period of time. That slow digesting process can keep you from overeating. In addition, foods that contain high amounts of fiber are “bulky.” This means that even though you may have not eaten a whole lot of food, it takes up a lot of room in your stomach. This again makes you feel full, and prevents you from snacking in-between meals.

Decreased Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Another reason why cantaloupe is promoted as a food that can help to boost your beauty is the fact that it is loaded with high amounts of water. Aside from fat and bone, your body is composed almost primarily of water. Therefore, it is no surprise that you need high amounts of water in your diet in order to function properly. In addition, your skin requires high amounts of water in order to stay hydrated. When you are dehydrated, your skin is one of the first organs to show the deficiency. Fine lines, wrinkles, and dry skin in general tend to appear within days of dehydration. Eating high amounts of cantaloupe will increase the amount of water in your diet, thereby nourishing your skin and keeping it looking great.

Healthy Skin

Finally, cantaloupe can help to keep a healthy glow on your face. While getting enough water in your diet is important in the prevention of lines and wrinkles, it cannot necessarily keep your face bright and glowing. In contrast, the antioxidants found in cantaloupe appear to be especially effective at this. Specifically, vitamin A, which is found in high amounts in cantaloupe, is especially important in maintaining a healthy glow and complexion. By making cantaloupe a part of your regular daily diet, you can reap the beauty benefits of this amazing fruit. 

Related posts:

• 3 Beauty Benefits of Hemp
• 3 Beauty Benefits of Curry
• 5 Beauty Benefits of Watermelon

It’s not hard to learn how to make body scrubs. You can make your own body scrubs at home using simple, easy to find ingredients that cost a fraction of the price of salon body scrubs. Follow these steps to learn how to make your own body scrubs at home.

1) Choose Your Exfoliant

Body scrubs usually have an exfoliating ingredient. Typical exfoliants used in body scrubs include sea salt, sugar, coffee, oatmeal, corn meal, or ground apricot pits or almond shells. These exfoliants are added to a liquid base, which may consist of oil, soap, lotion or fragrance.

If you have oily skin, the best exfoliant to choose for your homemade body scrub is sea salt. Sea salt dehydrates the skin and should be mixed with a liquid base suitable for oily skin, such as olive oil or a water-based lotion. If you have cuts, scrapes or any other wounds on your skin, don’t use a salt-based body scrub. Salt can cause stinging and discomfort if allowed to get into wounds.

If you have dry skin, sugar makes the best exfoliant for your body scrub. White, brown or raw sugar can be used, according to your personal preference. Sugar scrubs stimulate circulation and hydrate the skin. They don’t exfoliate as deeply as do salt scrubs, and so they can be used more often.

Oatmeal is a well-known exfoliant base for itchy skin. Ground coffee or ground apricot pits can be used as an exfoliant base in body scrubs for normal skin. Coffee has stimulant properties, so it can improve circulation, shrink varicose veins, and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

2) Choose Your Liquid Base

Most body scrubs use a liquid or semi-liquid base of water-based lotion, soap, oil or fragrance. Gentle oils like olive oil, avocado oil, or apricot kernel oils are best. Water-based lotions and gentle liquid soaps can also be used. If you plan to add your own essential oil fragrances, choose a fragrance-free liquid base.

3) Make Your Body Scrub

It’s easy to make your own body scrub. Just add one cup of the exfoliating ingredient to one-half cup of the liquid base and mix thoroughly. If you’d like your body scrub to have anti-inflammatory properties, mix one-quarter cup of soy oil and one quarter-cup of another oil, soap or lotion together to make an anti-inflammatory liquid base.

4) Choose a Fragrance

Many people choose to add their own essential oil fragrances to make their body scrub smell nice. Choose your essential oils based on the effects you’d like to achieve. Cinnamon, citrus and clove oils are invigorating. Lavender, lemon balm and sandalwood can help you relax. Rose or patchouli oils can achieve a sensual effect, while thyme, eucalyptus and geranium oils have anti-inflammatory properties. 

For fragrance, simply add a few drops of the oil of your choice to your body scrub.

Related posts:

• Homemade Body Scrubs: Using Sea Salt as an Exfoliator
• Body Scrubs: Chosing What's Best for Your Needs
• 3 Firming Lotions to Tighten Loose Skin

Homemade body scrubs using sea salt are a popular and inexpensive way to invigorate and exfoliate your skin. Sea salt scrubs are particularly effective on oily skin, since they can help to remove excess skin oils. It’s not difficult to make your own body scrubs using sea salt, a liquid base, and essential oils as fragrance. Read on to learn how you can enjoy the indulgence of a spa at a fraction of the price. 

Exfoliating Benefits of Sea Salt

Sea salt is one of nature’s best exfoliators. The trace minerals found in sea salt help to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. Sea salt can also clean pores and remove excess oil from the skin, so it’s an ideal scrub ingredient for those with oily skin. Sea salt can improve circulation, and it’s considered an invigorating ingredient in body scrubs.

Choosing a Liquid Base for Your Homemade Salt Scrub

Body scrubs typically consist of an exfoliant ingredient in a liquid base. You can use a gentle, skin-friendly oil like olive oil, apricot kernel oil, or avocado oil. If you have oily skin, make sure to choose an oil that won’t aggravate your condition. An anti-inflammatory oil like soy oil is best for oily skin.

You can also choose a water-based lotion or a liquid soap for your body scrub’s liquid base. Most people like to add their own essential oil fragrances to homemade body scrubs. If you’re using essential oil fragrances, make sure to choose a fragrance-free oil or soap for your body scrub’s liquid base.

Choosing an Essential Oil Fragrance

Essential oils do more than add fragrance to your body scrub. They can also give your homemade body scrubs additional therapeutic properties.

The essential oils of bergamot, eucalyptus, grapefruit, fennel, rose, clove and thyme have anti-inflammatory properties and are good for acne-prone skin. Lavendar, sandalwood, jasmine and lemon balm can be used to balance the emotions and promote relaxation. Some oils can have tangible physical health benefits. Eucalyptus, for instance, helps clear respiratory congestion and soothe headaches, and it may also help stave off infection with its antiseptic properties.

Mixing Homemade Body Scrubs

The general rule of thumb for mixing your own homemade body scrubs is to mix two parts exfoliating ingredients with one part liquid base. If you have one cup of sea salt, use one-half cup of your liquid base to create the body scrub. Using this rule, you can make more or less of the body scrub, depending on your needs. 

When adding essential oil fragrance to your sea salt body scrub, take care not to add too much. Add just a few drops of essential oil per part of liquid base. If you make a homemade body scrub using one cup of sea salt and one-half cup of olive oil, for instance, add no more than three drops of essential oil for fragrance. If you make a larger batch of body scrub, use a proportionate amount of oil.

Homemade sea salt body scrubs typically have a shelf life of about four weeks when kept refrigerated.

Related posts:

• How to Make Body Scrubs
• Body Scrubs: Chosing What's Best for Your Needs
• Table Salt vs. Kosher Salt: What's the Difference?

If your skin has been feeling rough and looking dull lately then body scrubs might be the best solution for you. However, with the wide variety of body scrubs in the market today, choosing the right one for your skin can be quite a challenge. Choosing the right body scrub depends on a number of factors such as your skin type and budget. Here are some guidelines about how to choose the best body scrub for your needs.

Select the Right Granules

Body scrubs are usually a combination of a gel or cream base mixed with a type of granules. These small granules are the ones that exfoliate your skin by rubbing against your skin’s surface to remove the layers of dead skin cells. Common granules that you can find in most body scrubs include coffee grains, sea salt, apricot kernels, oatmeal and brown sugar. These granules differ in texture and size. However, not all scrubs have natural granules. There are also some scrubs that use synthetic granules that dissolve quicker. When you opt for this type of scrub, you generally get a milder exfoliating experience since the granules do not last very long. If you have sensitive skin then you’re better off choosing body scrubs that have finer granules. However, if you’re buying a body scrub to treat tough areas of your skin (elbows, knees, etc.) then you might want to choose a body scrub that has bigger and coarser granules.

Consider Your Skin Type

Granules are not the only thing you need to consider when choosing a body scrub. It’s also important that you take your skin type into consideration. For instance, if you have dry skin that has a rough and peeling texture then you need to select a body scrub that also has a moisturizer. Body scrubs that are based on brown sugar, coffee and chocolate are usually ideal for dry skin types. Ingredients like almond oil, butter and milk are also effective in soothing dry skin. If you suffer from excessively oily skin then make sure that you choose an oil-free body scrub. Instead, look for ingredients like papaya, lemon, apricot and oatmeal. If you have sensitive skin that easily gets irritated, it’s best to choose body scrubs that have hypoallergenic ingredients that are soothing, such as aloe vera and oatmeal.

Choose a Fragrance You Like

Aside from helping you fight rough and dull skin, using a body scrub is also an enjoyable experience because of its fragrance. If you love aromatherapy or you’ve always wanted to give it a try, choose body scrubs that come with luxurious fragrances. These types of body scrubs come with scents that are not only pleasant but are also designed to treat certain problems like anxiety, stress, joint pain or other body aches.

Consider Your Budget

With the variety of body scrubs on the market today, it won’t be hard to find a good-quality scrub that won’t burn your pocket. The most expensive product on the market is not necessarily the best. Check the ingredients and make sure that it’s the right scrub for your skin type to ensure a wonderful exfoliating experience.

Related posts:

• How to Make Body Scrubs
• Homemade Body Scrubs: Using Sea Salt as an Exfoliator
• How to Combat Dull Skin

Finally, you might have an excuse to buy that signature black slimming dress you’ve been dreaming about. Wearing black might not make those extra pounds disappear, but you can trick the eye into believing they have.

One-Color Only

As a general rule, dressing from head to toe in a single color will instantly make you look slimmer. This is because wearing one color gives you a straight vertical line to look at and doesn’t emphasize any particular areas. When you wear more than one color, the eye is instantly attracted to where the break occurs, which is usually around the waist.

The Slimming Power of Black

Black increases that slimming illusion because it does not reflect light. Other colors are affected by light, projecting reflections or casting shadows in areas where your body curves or the material bends and wrinkles. Black, on the other hand, doesn’t have this effect, so any imperfections remain hidden under the clothes. In short, black is a very effective color for hiding bulges, lumps and bumps. White highlights all shadows, making bulges and lumps prominent and causing the exact opposite effect of wearing black.

Exceptions

The slimming effect of black is somewhat diminished if you wear shiny materials like Lycra, satin or sequins. The shine on the clothes will produce reflections and sometimes shadows, depending on the type of cloth. It’s also important to remember that the slimming illusion of black only works from the back or front. If you stand sideways, the shape of your body becomes evident again.

Related posts:

• 6 Tips for Finding Slimming One Piece Swimsuits
• 4 Slimming Ways to Wear a Belt
• How Adding Color to Your Wardrobe Can Affect Your Mood

Crimini mushrooms are a nutrition powerhouse with the potential to ward off disease. Mushrooms of the crimini variety are small, button-shaped, earthy tasting, rich brown mushrooms that are also called “baby bellas” because they are mini-Portabellas. An impressive group of minerals, vitamins and other ingredients are packed into each three- to four-calorie mushroom. It’s not surprising that nutritionists highly recommend that you add crimini mushrooms when planning your next meal. What’s in this nutrition powerhouse, exactly? Here are four great reasons to eat crimini mushrooms.

Minerals and Vitamins

Mushrooms are low in carbohydrates, calories, and sodium and are cholesterol- and fat-free. When you choose crimini mushrooms, you get all those dietary benefits plus more. Crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of selenium, which helps to fight cancer. Other minerals in crimini mushrooms are copper, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. Potassium is the mineral best known for bringing down your blood pressure and reducing your risk of stroke. Compared to the potassium value in white mushrooms, which yield only 315 mg of potassium, five medium creminis have 383 mg. One serving of crimini mushrooms provides a healthy dose of copper, which, like potassium, protects heart function. Crimini mushrooms are also a good source of B vitamins (vitamin B1, vitamin B2, B3 and B5), pantothenic acid and niacin.

Foods that have niacin are especially interesting to scientists who are studying the onset of Alzhiemer’s disease. They’ve found that the niacin in vitamin pills do not measure up to the same protective power that is found in niacin-rich foods. Another finding is that niacin-rich foods like crimini mushrooms can interrupt the work of an amino acid, homocysteine, which is thought to trigger heart attacks and strokes.

Tryptophan

Another healthy ingredient in these mushrooms is tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid. Nutritionists often advise that care should be taken to select foods that have this amino acid as part of a regular eating plan. Tryptophan affects the neurotransmitter serotonin. Tryptophan is also needed to create vitamin B3. The word “essential” amino acid really fits, as this is the component that allows you to control your sleep patterns and mood swings.   

Anti-Cancer Agents

Researchers have identified something called CLA (conjugated-linoleic acid) in crimini mushrooms. CLA is said to help ward off the growth of breast cancer cells. CLA in mushrooms lowers estrogen in the body, which may help to prevent cancer. Studies evaluating the mushrooms say that the mushrooms inhibit an enzyme, aromatase, which otherwise would help the body to make estrogen.

Other researchers investigating crimini mushrooms have found still more evidence of anti-cancer properties. Along with the effect of CLA on breast cancer cells, researchers suggest that these mushrooms may improve the body’s immune system overall and may block the onset of tumors.

Related posts:

• 8 Awesome Nutrients Found in Crimini Mushrooms
• 4 Healthy Ways to Prepare Crimini Mushrooms
• The Nutritional Value of Mushrooms

An avocado dip is one of the healthiest and most delicious treats that you can serve during a special occasion. If you are planning to throw a party in the near future and you are currently planning your menu, then you should definitely include some healthy appetizers in your food plan. Here are some recipes for avocado dip and other healthy appetizers that you can impress your guests with at your next party.

Avocado Dip

Avocado dip is not just delicious, but it’s also quick and easy to prepare. Start by peeling ripe avocados and removing their pits. Cut the avocados into manageable pieces before putting them in the food processor. Add some chopped tomatoes, sour cream, chopped green onions and fresh lime juice. You might also want to add a few drops of hot sauce like Tabasco. When all ingredients are in, process the dip until it’s nice and smooth. This avocado dip tastes best when it is served chilled. For a healthy appetizer or snack, serve the dip with pieces of whole wheat bread, crackers or vegetable dippers.

Crab and Mango Lettuce Wraps

Wraps made from crab, mango and lettuce also make nutritiously tasty appetizers that will surely be a hit at your party. In a medium-sized bowl, combine cooked crab meat, bite-sized cubes of ripe mango, chopped cilantro leaves, peeled and diced jicama and finely chopped green onions. Toss the ingredients until they are blended well.

In a separate and smaller bowl, make the orange sesame sauce by mixing together some lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil and some yogurt with orange flavor. Sprinkle some pepper as well. Whisk the sauce until it is smooth. Next, wash and dry your lettuce leaves. Boston lettuce usually works best for this recipe. Place no more than 1/4 cup of the crab mixture in each leaf and top with a drizzle of the orange sesame sauce.

Grilled Shrimp

If your upcoming party happens to be a barbecue or a type of outdoor event then grilled shrimp will make an ideal appetizer. Start by peeling, cleaning and drying some jumbo shrimp. Use a brush to coat the exterior of the shrimp with some canola oil or extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the shrimp with some paprika, pepper and salt. Heat up your grill and place the shrimp directly over high heat for a few minutes on each side. Once the shrimp are cooked, serve them with a dip of your choice. Some good dip ideas include softened jalapeno jelly, peach salsa or chili sauce.

Spinach Squares

Start by preheating your oven to about 325 degrees F. Next, spray your baking dish with a coat of canola cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, make your batter by combining an egg, some milk, an egg substitute, flour, baking powder, salt, sour cream and melted butter. Mix the batter until it’s smooth. Mix in the chopped spinach and cheese cubes. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and spread it out evenly with your spatula. Bake for about half an hour and cut into squares.

Related posts:

• 6 Healthy Party Appetizers
• 6 Healthy Ideas for Spicing Up Avocado Dip
• 5 Healthy Party Dips