New Supplemental Blend Treats TMJ Pain Naturally

Natural TMJ Relief provides effective alternative to surgery

Most everyone has heard of TMJ ... the popular acronym for the "temporomandibular joint," and the jaw pain and dysfunction associated with it. What they don't know is that TMJ is so common that approximately 50 percent of the population will experience this condition at some point in their lives. At any given time, 10 to 15 million people are walking around with the aching, muscle spasms and even headaches that are all attributable to TMJ, according to Dr. Jeffrey B. Wheaton, a Santa Fe, N.M.-based oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

"Unfortunately, many people don't realize they have TMJ or that there are easy, non-invasive ways to manage and even treat this disorder," Wheaton says. "What this means is that people are suffering needlessly."

In treating TMJ patients, Wheaton prescribes medications, such as painkillers, and offers surgery when it's absolutely necessary. More recently, however, he's been moving toward a less-invasive, more holistic approach to TMJ treatment options. What's more, Wheaton is officially unveiling an all-natural supplement that he has personally developed: Natural TMJ Relief(TM) (http://www.naturaltmjrelief.com).

"There are many naturally occurring substances that produce a calming effect and therefore reduce the muscle spasms and inflammation that contribute to TMJ disorders," Wheaton says. "The first product of its kind in the marketplace, Natural TMJ Relief(TM) is the perfect blend of the vitamins and herbs needed for a healthy temporomandibular joint system. It's not harmful to patients, and it provides the nutrients that sooth TMJ pain and discomfort."

Factors contributing to TMJ include bite problems and trauma to the joint. However, stress - typically manifested as clenching or grinding of the teeth - is the number-one cause of TMJ. In such cases, eliminating or reducing stress is the long-term goal. Meanwhile, taking Natural TMJ Relief(TM), using a bite-guard, and doing physical therapy to relax and strengthen the muscles may also eliminate TMJ symptoms.

"Nowadays, supplements are very respected and have even gone mainstream," Wheaton says. "With so many people suffering from this prolific condition, the demand for Natural TMJ Relief(TM) is very real. And in general, people taking Natural TMJ Relief(TM) are less likely to undergo surgery or take prescription drugs - the main reason I developed this unique product and launched an educational website to promote it as well as address issues related to TMJ."

For more information, visit: http://www.naturaltmjrelief.com

About Natural TMJ Relief

Natural TMJ Relief(TM) is an all-natural supplement for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. It was developed by Dr. Jeffery B. Wheaton, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with experience treating TMJ and based in Santa Fe, N.M. Natural TMJ Relief(TM) is the only product in the marketplace specifically designed to target all TMJ aspects including: joint pain and inflammation; muscle spasm; cartilage damage; and anxiety, tension and stress. Natural TMJ Relief is available online at http://www.naturaltmjrelief.com.

Calcium Supplements May Increase Heart Attacks in Older Women

New research suggests that calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack in healthy postmenopausal women.

Calcium supplementation is commonly prescribed to postmenopausal women to maintain bone health, and some data suggest that it might protect against vascular disease by lowering levels of bad cholesterol in the blood.

But evidence for this theory is lacking, so researchers at the University of Auckland investigated the effect of calcium supplementation on heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke, and sudden death.

Their analysis involved 1,471 healthy postmenopausal women aged 55 years or over who had previously taken part in a study to assess the effects of calcium on bone density and fracture rates.

The women were randomly allocated to a daily calcium supplement or placebo. Dietary calcium intake was assessed and women were seen every six months over five years.

Adverse events were recorded at each visit. Heart attacks were more commonly reported in the calcium group. The occurrence of any three vascular events (heart attack, stroke or sudden death) was also more common in this group.

Because of the potential importance of these findings, the authors checked hospital admissions and reviewed all death certificates for study participants to identify any unreported events.

With these added events, heart attacks remained more common in the calcium group (36 events in 31 women versus 22 events in 21 women on placebo). Rates for heart attack, stroke or sudden death were also increased in this group (76 events in 60 women versus 54 events in 50 women on placebo) although these event rates were of borderline significance.

These findings are not conclusive, but suggest that high calcium intakes might have an adverse effect on vascular health and are concerning, say the authors. If confirmed by other studies, this effect could outweigh any beneficial effects of calcium on bone.

In the meantime, this potentially detrimental effect should be balanced against the likely benefits of calcium on bone, particularly in elderly women, they conclude.

(Newswise)

Stressed, Can't Sleep?

New 'Quick2Sleep' All Natural, Fast Acting, Dissolving Strip Works Miraculously

Tossing, turning? Is the stress of being back to work keeping you up at night? Need help to get to sleep quickly? When you don't have 8 hours or cannot take a prescription sleep aid there's a revolutionary all natural sleep aid available in a fast dissolving strip that allows you to get to sleep almost instantly. Quick2Sleep is the revolutionary natural sleep aid delivered via a fast acting dissolving strip that instantly melts in your mouth. A proprietary blend of all natural ingredients quickly enters the blood stream and induces a safe sound sleep within 15 minutes. This unique formula and revolutionary delivery method is a true breakthrough in sleep aid treatment that insomnia sufferers have been searching for. Most importantly it's safe, non-habit forming, and it works!

Nature's Healthy Supplements is excited to announce the immediate availability of a revolutionary new Sleep Aid product, Quick2Sleep at http://www.quick2sleep.com. Quick2Sleep is a 100% natural Sleep aid that is non-narcotic, non-addictive, non-habit forming, works quickly, and let's you wake rested and not groggy. Now you have a great natural alternative to harsh prescription medications.

The oral strips that induce sleep, similar to breath fresheners are designed to dissolve on the tongue. They are intended for use by adults who, have difficulty falling asleep, don't or cannot take prescription sleep medications, or want fast acting results. You do not even need a glass of water. It's great for the business travelers who need to get to sleep in-flight and arrive refreshed without being groggy. Many people do not have 8 hours when they go to bed and are afraid to take a prescription sleep aid due to the morning side effects - now if you awaken in the night - there's Quick2Sleep to help you get the rest you need.

Oral thin film products are a relatively new delivery technology that provides a quick way to ingest medicinal or dietary supplements and the benefits are realized almost instantaneously. "Consumers have become accustomed to using film technology in breath fresheners. It just makes sense to use this delivery form for supplements and particularly our natural sleep aid product, Quick2Sleep(TM), said the company. "It's what consumers are looking for; safe, fast acting, easy to take, 100% natural alternative to prescription sleeping drugs at an affordable price."

Quick2Sleep fast dissolving sleep aid strips are available at the company's website, http://www.quick2sleep.com for the introductory price of $12.95 for 24 strip package or call the toll-free hotline at (888) 768-3836.

Nature's Healthy Supplements, Inc. gives you the choice and access to dietary supplements that are safe, effective and relied upon by the rest of the world. We would encourage you to visit Nature's Healthy Supplement's product websites: http://www.quick2sleep.com and http://www.bestprostate.com.

Women and Heart Disease: Something to Talk About

Description

Dr. Blanchard of the UCSD Medical Center, and Susan Iliff, a retired nurse discuss the symptoms of heart attack in women.







Eight million women in the United States suffer from cardiovascular disease. It is their number one cause of death. The disease often exhibits itself with symptoms such as back or arm pain, indigestion, and shortness of breath. The most common way women respond to the early signs? They ignore them.

“When I had my first angina attack in my 50s, I was working on a TV commercial about stroke awareness,” said Susan Iliff, 59, a retired UC San Diego Medical Center nurse. “I didn’t feel quite right. I was a little short of breath which I attributed to a hectic work schedule. Later, I felt some heaviness in my chest which I thought was bronchitis.”

Two days later Iliff’s life changed forever.

“I was sitting at my desk on a Friday when suddenly I had a shooting pain in my jaw. I knew immediately it was my heart. By Monday, I had bypass surgery.”

Iliff’s story is common among many women. The symptoms they feel are not the popularized symptoms of heart attack.

“Women often do not experience the crushing pain that men feel from a heart attack,” said Denise Barnard, M.D., director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program at UCSD Medical Center. “Women’s symptoms of heart attack are sometimes more subtle and often dangerously dismissed for less serious ailments.”

For women, the most common signs of heart attack are chest or mid-back or shoulder pain, deep aching in one or both arms, breathlessness, clamminess, dizziness, and anxiousness. Other symptoms may be swelling of the ankles or lower legs, a fluttering heart, gastric upset, or a feeling of heaviness in the chest. All these symptoms should be reported to a doctor.

Iliff, a single mother of three who also cared for her aging parents, one with chronic pulmonary disease, and the other a paraplegic, found that simple conversation was key to significantly relieving stress and keeping her own health on track.

“Having a heart attack is really scary. Going back to managing your family, excelling at work, attending to your home and investments, in addition to caring for your own heart can be even scarier. You need help. You need others to look out for you,” said Iliff.

To help women connect with other female heart patients, Iliff decided to start a support group. She is now a trained group support leader for WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, a national advocacy organization for women heart patients.

“Somehow we have this idea in our head that we’re desperately needed by everyone around us—except ourselves. Yes, our kids need us. But more importantly, they need us to take care of our own health so that we can be there for them,” said Iliff. “Believe me, it’s easier to treat the early signs of heart disease than it is to wait and have a heart attack.”

The first WomenHeart support group meeting will take place at UCSD Thornton Hospital on February 19, 2008. The group will meet on the third Tuesday of every month from noon until 1:00 p.m. During each meeting, women talk about their personal experiences, listen to speakers, and share tips and information on their own treatments. The meeting is free and open to all women in the community. Similar groups are offered by WomenHeart in 50 U.S. cities.

Communication extends outside the support group in the form of daily emails, phone calls and personal visits. If any one participant undergoes a medical procedure or operation, fellow members visit and offer support where needed. As a sign of solidarity, the women wear a bright red scarf as reminder to take care of themselves.

“Every new member at UCSD receives a beautiful red knitted scarf,” said Iliff. “Just as each woman in the group is different, no two scarves are alike. The scarf travels with us to our medical appointments and on those days we need to remember that we are not alone and that we are loved.”

The Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center at the University of California, San Diego developed the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program to directly combat cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. The program is led by a group of leading female physicians dedicated to helping women understand, prevent and treat the disease. Risk screening evaluations are available for women who think they may be at risk for heart disease or stroke. For those women with diagnosed CVD, the program provides the tools needed to manage the disease.

Experts Examine Blood Clots, Angiogenesis in Women

Description

Drs. Mary Cushman and Matthew Watkins are established leaders in the field of cardiovascular research. Their efforts have uncovered new information about women's cardiovascular risk and potential new therapies for angina in women.







University of Vermont cardiovascular physician-scientists Mary Cushman, M.D., and Matthew Watkins, M.D., are conducting cutting-edge research on the number-one killer of men and women in the United States -- cardiovascular disease.

NEW FINDINGS ABOUT HORMONES AND BLOOD CLOT RISK
In early December 2007, Cushman presented preliminary data from two Women’s Health Initiative trials that assessed factors that indicate increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with postmenopausal hormone therapy. VTE refers to a blood clot that forms in the veins, usually in the legs. These clots can become fatal if they travel through the veins to the lung. According to the American Heart Association, more than 200,000 cases of VTE occur each year and 30 percent of these people die within three days. It is known that postmenopausal hormone treatments can double the risk of developing VTE, and in recent years hormone prescriptions have declined, partly as a result of this.

“If these findings are confirmed, measurement of some of these factors might assist women with decision-making about whether or not to take estrogen or estrogen plus progestin for treatment of postmenopausal symptoms," said Cushman. "This becomes very important since hormones remain a very effective treatment for menopausal symptoms."

WOMEN WITH ANGINA BETTER CANDIDATES FOR ANGIOGENIC THERAPY
A reported 8.9 million people in the United States, including 4.6 million women, live with chronic angina, the debilitating chest pain, squeezing or pressure experienced by people with coronary heart disease. However, women with heart disease have been largely underrepresented in cardiovascular clinical trials. A recent study article co-authored by Matthew Watkins, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, indicates that an experimental treatment designed to promote blood vessel growth and improve cardiovascular blood flow in patients with angina may have a positive treatment effect in women as opposed to men.

The AGENT (Angiogenic Gene Therapy) studies (1 through 4) have to date involved 663 patients at more than one hundred U.S., European and other international medical centers. The experimental therapy under examination in the AGENT trials is Generx™ (alferminogene tadenovec, Ad5FGF-4), a gene product in a new class of cardiovascular biologics that when administered by intracoronary injection, promotes angiogenesis – the process of blood vessel growth in the heart. For their September 11, 2006 Journal of American College of Cardiology article, Watkins and his colleagues analyzed pooled original data from the AGENT -3 and -4 trials to determine treatment effects in two subgroups, gender and older patients with severe angina.

The study used exercise tolerance testing time to track any changes from baseline at 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months among three groups – placebo, low-dose Ad5FGF-4 and high-dose Ad5FGF-4. At 12 weeks, there was significant improvement in women at both doses, but not in men.

Based on these findings, a Phase 3 clinical trial titled AWARE (Angiogenesis in Women with Angina pectoris who are not candidates for Revascularization) was launched in August 2007. UVM is one of more than two dozen centers in the country currently participating in this trial, which aims to enroll approximately 300 women with chronic angina who are not candidates for conventional bypass surgery or angioplasty in order to more closely examine the effects of angiogenic therapy on this population of patients.

Strict surveillance at work 'can affect' health of employees

London, Jan 9 - Employers, please note -- don't
keep your staff members under surveillance in office all the
time as it might affect their health.
A study has found that employees are being put under
increasing strain when their bosses use monitoring equipment
to keep track of how hard they're working.
In fact, the constant surveillance leaves the staff
members feeling exhausted and anxious, according to British
researchers who carried out the study for the Economic and
Social Research Council.
"Computers and IT systems are bringing surveillance
to most workplaces. Now for the first time we can see how this
development is damaging employees' well-being," according to
lead researcher Dr Michael White.
Dr White, who co-directed the study with Dr Patrick
McGovern of the London School of Economics, came to the
conclusion after analysing a survey -- they questioned 2,132
employees and 2,000 employers across all industry sectors.
The researchers found that in workplaces checked by
computer, reports of work-related strain rose by 7.5 per cent.
Evidence of added stress was particularly striking
among administrative and white-collar staff in offices such
as call centres, where it rose by 10 per cent if staff were
monitored constantly.

A growing number of employers also admitted to
monitoring their staff's Internet use to ensure they were not
wasting time on social networking sites, the study found.
Those in lower-ranking office jobs, rather than those
in professional and managerial roles, tended to suffer the
worst effects of monitoring.
Dr McGovern said many employees felt as if they had
simply become "an appendage of a machine".
"People are having to register every piece of work
they do. Where your work is routinely recorded electronically,
then there's a sense that you are becoming an appendage of a
machine. The people who work under this sort of monitoring
were more likely to report work strains like feeling exhausted
at the end of the day," he said.
Dr McGovern said the research, covering changes in
the British workplace from 1984 to 2004, showed the trend in
monitoring had spread very quickly, but he expected it to
continue.

Nutrition Trends of 2008

With 2008 here, we all are looking for that magic pill that will make us look and feel better. You will find out that the magic pill is no longer a pill, and nutrition trends of 2008 will put you on the right path. "Nutrition can be confusing if you listen to all the hype," said Dr. Clive R. Spray, a biochemist and leader in nutrition research for the past 11 years.

How can we improve the health of our family and ourselves?

Here are 7 predictions from our list of 15 that will put you on track in 2008:

1. With all the superbugs going around, like strep, MRSA, bird flu, etc. ... What can we do? The best defense is to build a strong and healthy immune system. You already know you need a good multiple as well as supplementation with vitamin C and zinc. Research is starting to lean towards herbs that support the immune system. The top 3 herbs are Echinacea, garlic and goldenseal. They're best when you can find them all in one formulation.

2. With this New Year, our bulges around our waists are getting larger. We are all tired of years and years of fad diets. The nutritional approach to weight loss finally begins to gain a foothold with the American population. Research continues to support the fact that obesity is linked to dietary deficiency rather than purely overeating. Providing the body the nutrients it needs to sustain daily activities leads to a marked reduction in overeating and obesity. You need to find a nutritional program that hits the 5 keys to weight loss (deficiency, caloric intake, acid factor, immune, and activity). The diet must include protein, vitamins, and minerals which effectively curb the appetite while maintaining optimum health.

3. Keep an eye out for the new "super-nutrient" to emerge in 2008. It will be vitamin D. Throughout 2007 we regularly read about emerging research on this nutrient, and this will continue into 2008. We fully expect government guidelines on the intake of vitamin D to be changed early in the year. Deficiency of vitamin D is common in the United States and worldwide. It is known to be important in bone mineral metabolism, but now we have information that it does much more. For example: good intake of vitamin D can reduce both hip fractures and other non-vertebral fractures; it can improve symptoms of leg weakness; it can improve lower extremity strength and improve walking for seniors; and it has even been shown to significantly diminish occurrence of certain cancers. Other metabolic disorders that may benefit from vitamin D include type 1 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, possibly type 2 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

4. More emphasis will be placed on bringing the body into balance. Extensive medical research will emerge supporting the view that too much of a single nutrient can be as damaging as too little, leading some nutritional companies to reformulate products and use the synergistic approach to nutrition.

-- Multiple (takes care of dietary deficiency)
-- Colloidal Minerals (takes care of dietary deficiency)
-- C + Zinc (builds a healthy immune system)
-- B12 (energizer)

These four products provide the nutrients the human body needs on a daily basis, with useful, usable doses that are easy on the body (and, of course, represent value for money).

5. The most significant trend in the nutritional industry was a novelty about 25 years ago when it was first introduced by Vitamist.com. Now accepted in the medical arena, it will start having acceptance and understanding as a delivery system for your nutrition. One medicine that is already being sprayed is nitroglycerin. This is a great example because it is being used to save lives throughout the country by EMT's - spray delivery is used because of purity, improved effectiveness, ease, and instant delivery. With all that background, vitamin sprays will grab the country's attention as being the best way to take supplements.

6. The USA continues to lead the world in deaths from heart disease, despite what is largely regarded as the most advanced (if not the most available) health care system in the world. In addition, the availability of doctors, drugs, and hospitals, all specializing in heart health, is regarded as among the best in the world. Public awareness of this growing problem helps to drive a trend towards the "natural" approach to circulatory health. A simple amino acid, L-arginine, leads this trend. Nobel Prize-winning work demonstrated that L-arginine is a major factor for vascular protection, together with L-citrulline.

7. The number one factor inducing health problems is STRESS!! The use of B-complex vitamins as an antidote to the effects of stress continues to gain in acceptance. During periods of extreme stress the body will deplete its reserves of B-vitamins and will also become susceptible to infection and disease.

It has been shown that good nutrition is a major key to good health and a longer life. Use these predicted trends to change your life for the better in 2008. For the rest of the predicted trends by Dr. Clive R. Spray, you can go to his web site - http://www.drspray.com

Women Who Smoke at Increased Risk of Lung Disease

Description

Here’s another reason not to smoke, especially for women: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).




Here’s another reason not to smoke, especially for women: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

This disabling breathing disorder is increasingly becoming a problem for women, according to the January issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource. The most important risk factor for COPD is long-term cigarette smoking.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a broad term that describes any of a group of illnesses that block airflow through the lungs. The most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Signs and symptoms of COPD -- persistent cough, increased mucus production, shortness of breath and frequent colds and respiratory problems -- often develop gradually, and people don’t realize they have the disease until it’s advanced.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The COPD death rate for women rose much faster between 1980 and 2000 than it did for men. In 2000, the number of women dying of COPD surpassed men for the first time. According to recent research, women with the disease experience more breathlessness, higher rates of depression and lower quality of life than men with the disease -- even those women reported fewer years of smoking than men.

The increase in female rates of COPD likely reflects the increase in the number of female smokers since the 1940s, when advertisers began promoting smoking as a symbol of independence for women.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be treated, but not cured. The most important treatment is to stop smoking. For smokers with COPD, quitting smoking reduces subsequent loss of lung function by half and cuts the death rate by nearly half. And some better news for women is that those who quit smoking receive twice as great an improvement in lung function as men. (Newswise)

Moderate Exercise Yields Big Benefits

Description

What’s the key to looking and feeling better and enhancing your health? Exercise.


What’s the key to looking and feeling better and enhancing your health? Exercise.

Moderately strenuous exercise, about 30 minutes a day, can lead to enormous benefits in terms of your mood, health, weight and the ability to live an independent and fulfilling life. The exercise doesn’t need to be athletic or difficult. Studies have shown that simply walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes or more on most days can lead to significant health improvements. Add simple strengthening exercises two or three times a week and the benefits are even greater.

The January issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter lists some of the benefits of 30 minutes of exercise a day:

Lower blood pressure: A reduction of 5 to 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) is possible. In some cases, that’s enough to prevent or reduce the need for blood pressure medications.

Improve cholesterol: Exercise often increases the concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol in the blood), especially when accompanied by weight loss. Exercise also helps reduce triglyceride levels.

Prevent or manage type 2 diabetes: Exercise helps insulin work better, lowering blood sugar.

Manage weight: Coupling exercise with a healthy diet is the best way to shed fat and maintain a healthier body composition.

Prevent osteoporosis: Exercise may increase bone density and protect against bone mass decline, especially if weight-bearing activities are involved.

Prevent cancer: Exercise has been shown to strengthen the immune system, improve circulation, reduce body fat and speed digestion. Each has a role in preventing cancer, particularly cancers of the colon, prostate, uterine lining and breast.

Maintain mental well-being: Exercise may help reduce stress, improve mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety, improve sleep and boost moods.

Increase energy and stamina: A lack of energy often results from inactivity, not age.

Herbal tea for body weight maintenance

Garcinia atroviridis known in Malaysia as Asam Gelugor is a big-size perennial fruit tree, which is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. The fruits are bright orange in colour when ripe. The dried sliced fruit is known locally as Asam Keping, and it is popularly used as seasoning in curries, sour relish and also for fish dressing.

Garcinia atroviridis fruits contain fruiting acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid and hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) found in Garcinia spp. has been studied extensively in the animal model.

HCA was found to suppress fatty acid, cholesterol synthesis and reduce appetite. Studies have shown that HCA decreases weight by inhibiting lipogenesis, the metabolic process that changes carbohydrate into fat.

HCA also lowers blood lipid levels. Body weight maintenance nutraceutical products have been developed from fruit extract of Garcinia atroviridis. The fresh raw material for the above nutraceutical product is not readily available as the fruiting is seasonal and can only be harvested during certain period of the year. Moreover the fresh ripe Garcinia atroviridis fruits are facing storage problems as they are easily infected with fungus.

Our studies showed that HCA is detected in Garcinia atroviridis leaves. The level (w/v) of HCA in the leaves is comparable to the fruits. Based on bioactivity studies, chemistry studies, safety evaluation, processing and formulation studies that had been conducted, a body weight maintenance herbal tea was developed from Garcinia atroviridis leaves.

contact-

Zamree M.S. , Ong B.K., Hada Masayu I., Noor Rasyila M.N., Abdull Rashih A, Mohd Shahidan M. A., Pin K.Y, Mohd Radzi A., Mohd Faizal K. and Rasadah M.A.
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), 52109 Kepong, Selangor
E-mail: zamree@frim.gov.my

Plastic Surgery: Truth Is in Style

DALLAS, Jan. 3, 2008 -- According to a recent Yale University study published on an MSNBC website, "79 percent of patients who underwent plastic surgery were influenced by television and media."

That means roughly 4 out of 5 patients are relying on TV and other media for education.

With so much controversy and misunderstanding surrounding plastic surgery and other elective procedures, the launch of new television show Modern Beauty couldn't have better timing.

With a mission to "empower those seeking cosmetic procedures," Modern Beauty goes against the grain of plastic surgery reality shows to inform and educate its audience.

What does board certification really mean? What is the Gummy Bear? What is the reality of tummy tuck recovery? These, and other, questions are answered by several of the nation's best doctors, and through the real experiences of their patients.

"Television audiences are sophisticated. We know they want high-quality HD video, great sound, and entertaining storylines. Modern Beauty accomplishes this while communicating an accurate portrayal of elective surgical procedures," said the show's executive producer.

Featured physicians include Dr. Grant Stevens, Dr. David Stoker and Dr. Carson Liu of Los Angeles, Dr. Jay Burns of Dallas, Dr. Lior Heller and Dr. Thomas P. McHugh of Houston, and Dr. Robert Cohen of Scottsdale.

Beginning January 6th, Modern Beauty airs nationally from 5-5:30 AM Sunday mornings on the Style Network. All televised segments will be made available on http://www.modernbeauty.tv as free, on-demand streaming video.

Modern Beauty is produced by Hacienda Nocturna Productions, LLC.

Link Between Childhood Obesity and Adult Discrimination

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 2, 2008 -- The U.S. Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity sites that there is a 70% chance of overweight adolescents becoming overweight or obese adults. The chances increase to 80% if one or more of the parents are overweight or obese. This strong association between childhood obesity and subsequent adult obesity creates an obvious need to focus attention on habit change, nutrition, and exercise during childhood (when habits are being formed and are easier to correct).

There are many serious health risks associated with being overweight or obese including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, certain cancers, arthritis, and sleep apnea. The health risks are well researched and documented. However, very few studies have addressed the social and personal economic impact of being overweight or obese.

Dr. Rebecca Puhl and Dr. Kelly Brownell of Yale University have conducted a review of discriminatory behaviors and negative attitudes that people have towards overweight and obese adults. The review was published in the professional journal Obesity Research. Their study suggests that discrimination towards overweight and obese adults is widespread and includes the following findings:
-- There is significant negative hiring prejudice for
overweight and obese adults particularly for women,
sales positions, and managerial positions.
-- There is a significant wage penalty for being obese.
-- Obese adults have lower promotion prospects due to
discrimination.
-- Many health care workers have negative attitudes
regarding obese patients.
-- Many educators also have a prejudice against overweight
and obese students.

One method to combat adult obesity is to modify the nutrition and exercise habits of "at risk" children. Shawn McCance, Founder of the Thriving Child Corporation is launching the Aqua Fitness and Nutrition Program in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This eight-week program will combine family (both parent and child-level) nutrition education with swimming games and basic swimming stroke instruction (three days a week). The goal is to modify life-long behavior through habit change, incorporating both physical fitness and improved nutrition. Nutrition sessions will be taught by highly qualified Registered Dietitians. Swimming sessions (taught by skilled swim coaches) are focused on having "fun in the water". The goal is learn (or re-learn) that exercise can be truly enjoyable. For more information, please visit http://www.thrivingchild.com or call 800-719-6756.

If you would like more information about this topic (or wish to schedule a meeting) please email Shawn McCance at sm@thrivingswimmers.com or call (719) 322-3048.

Bring in the New Year with a New Fitness Routine

Description

Joining a gym is easy. What’s hard is sticking with an exercise routine for more than a few weeks into the new year. To start and stick with a new workout plan through 2008, a University of Michigan Health System fitness expert offers advice for setting reasonable fitness goals, and staying motivated at the gym.


It’s that time of year again – you have had your final glass of eggnog and your last bite of pumpkin pie. Now you are ready to start the year off right with a new exercise plan – and to keep it up throughout the year so that fitness becomes a routine rather than just another resolution.

Colleen Greene, wellness coordinator with MFit, the University of Michigan Health System’s health promotion division, says that in order for a workout plan to succeed a person must realize that pounds won’t come off within the first clutch of a dumbbell. Instead, exercise must become part of a regular routine rather than be thought of as a short-term solution.

“The number one New Year resolution people have is to lose weight, and it is really not that difficult. But many expect it to be done overnight, and they lose their motivation when that doesn’t happen,” says Greene. “You didn’t gain weight overnight, so you’re not going to lose it overnight either.”

One main way people jump into a fitness routine is by joining a gym. But often the motivation disappears only weeks after a new membership. Greene offers several tips on how to start and stick with a new workout plan.

1. Join a fitness center that is convenient to your lifestyle. “It’s great if you see that a fitness center across town is all new and sparkly, but if you have to fight cross-town traffic to get there it’s probably not a good choice,” advises Greene. It is also important to make sure the center’s hours mesh with your schedule, if it offers child care or other programs you may need and that it has a qualified staff.

2. Ask questions. Don’t be shy about learning all that the fitness center has to offer, says Greene. Most gyms have specialists and personal trainers that can help you navigate equipment and devise the best plan for your fitness needs. You should also get the OK from your doctor as you begin a new workout routine, and ask any questions that you may have about your health.

3. Try things you’ve never done before. “If you think Pilates is something for dancers only or if you think yoga means standing on your head, most gyms will have some sort of special drop-in rate for either the first week or first few sessions of a class,” says Greene. “Go ahead and try it! You may find that you like it.”

4. Aim to meet your goals gradually. Greene notes that the most common mistake people make when they join a gym is coming in and doing everything at once. Instead, work toward your goals at a steady pace so that you can sustain your new fitness routine.

5. Schedule time to exercise into your calendar. “Sometimes people burn out because other things happen; they have this or that responsibility. Remember that you have a responsibility to yourself too,” says Greene. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine so that it becomes part of your day and not something you can easily blow off.

6. Get a support system. Find people you can count on, whether it is an exercise buddy or someone taking care of your responsibilities at home or on the job, so you have time to work out.

7. Make your exercises fun! Working out does not have to be drudgery. Many fitness centers have intramural leagues and an assortment of classes. Also add a variety of workouts to your routine to prevent boredom. “Find out what you like and switch it up every so often,” Greene suggests.

As the winter months roll along, you may begin to feel less motivated. But Greene notes that there is one thing to always remember: “Fitness is a time for you and a time to take care of yourself,” she says. “You will end up feeling good because you’ll be getting fit and feeling better.”
(Newswise)