The scientists found that when they kept sugar away from critical immune cells called T cells, the cells no longer produced interferon gamma, an inflammatory compound important for fighting tumors and some kinds of infection. "T cells can get into tumors, but unfortunately they are often ineffective at killing the cancer cells," said Erika Pearce, PhD, assistant professor of pathology and immunology. …
Despite the “special blend” of ingredients, energy drinks work no better than ordinary caffeine at helping us pay attention, a new study suggests. In the study, researchers examined participants' brain activity while they performed a task designed to require attention. Specifically, the researchers looked at how fast the brain responded to a change in letters appearing on a computer screen. Before the task, participants consumed 8 ounces of either water, water with caffeine, or water containing the energy drink 5-Hour Energy. The caffeinated drinks were adjusted so that they had the same amount of caffeine per pound of participants' body weight, and all drinks were colored blue. During the task, participants who drank the caffeinated drinks had faster brain responses, compared with those who drank plain water. But there was no difference in brain activity between those who consumed caffeinated water, and those who consumed 5-Hour Energy. More from LiveScience “A lot of people take the energy drinks because they think they have that extra boost over caffeine,” said study researcher Chelsea Benham, a student at Centre College in Danville, Ky. But the study shows “there's really no difference,” Benham said. In terms of boosting attention, a cup of coffee “would do you just as well,” if it had the same amount of caffeine as an energy drink, she said. A 2-ounce bottle of 5-Hour Energy contains about 215 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent of about two cups of coffee. An advantage of 5-Hour Energy is that it contains a concentrated amount of caffeine — people need to consume a larger volume of coffee to get the same amount of caffeine. However, there has been concern over the safety of energy drinks in general because of their ability to deliver high doses of caffeine in such a concentrated form. Last year, the FDA said it had received reports of health problems linked with 5-Hour Energy, including heart attacks and death, although the reports do not prove that the energy drink was the cause of these problems. Some health experts have been concerned about the combination of compounds in energy drinks, and are calling for more research to determine what amount is safe to consume. Energy drinks can contain chemicals such as guarana, taurine, L-carnitine, ginseng and yohimbine. In the new study, researchers also did not find a difference in participants' physical reaction times (on a test that involved clicking a computer mouse when a particular letter appeared on a screen), regardless of whether they consumed a caffeinated or non- caffeinated drink. Benham said this may have been because the test took only 20 minutes. Over a longer period, she said she suspects there would be a difference. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Psychological Science in Washington, D.C., on May 26. Benham conducted the work with her adviser, KatieAnn Skogsberg, an assistant professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience at Centre College. Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/05/energy-drinks-no-better-than-caffeine-study-suggests/
In a small but significant number of breast cancer patients, cancerous cells can move through the bloodstream from breast tissue to secondary sites in other parts of the body where they may remain in a dormant state, clinically undetected, for an extended period of time, before suddenly becoming metastatic. …
During the procedure, known as MR-guided focused ultrasound, doctors direct a concentrated beam of energy to specific nerve endings that are causing pain in bone metastases. These patients typically have a significant amount of discomfort — half of study participants rated their pain at least a 7 out of 10 — but within a handful of days, most said they felt significant relief. Although Fox Chase patients received local anesthesia during the procedure, the most commonly reported side effect was pain — which can often be alleviated with additional anesthesia, says study author Joshua Meyer, MD, attending physician in the Radiation Oncology Department at Fox Chase. "That’s temporary pain, which is gone as soon as the procedure is over," he says…
The biological "freeze-frame" shows the initial step in the formation of actin, a sturdy strand-like filament that is vital for humans. Actin filaments help cells maintain their shape. The filaments, which are called F-actin, also play key roles in muscle contraction, cell division and other critical processes. "One of the major distinctions between cancerous cells and healthy cells is their shape," said study co-author Jianpeng Ma, professor of bioengineering at Rice and the Lodwick T. …
As our lives have become more fast-paced, the way we feed our children has also changed. Running from one activity to the next can make it easy to justify the convenience of quick food, even if it means not providing the best nourishment. Research has shown that the top sources of energy for children between the ages of two and 18 come from grain desserts, pizza and soda - with nearly 40% of their consumed energy coming in the form of empty calories.  The mentality that a quick bite is better than nothing may be ruining our children’s health. Learning disorders, fatigue, depression, obesity and diabetes among children is becoming the norm rather than the exception. However, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and even reversed with the right diet.  One of the best gifts a parent can give a child is a strong nutritional start and healthy eating habits. Children need nutrient dense foods to provide them with adequate energy to grow and play. The easiest way to do this is by sticking with fresh food and avoiding anything that can sit on a shelf without decomposing for years. From a child’s first bite of food, their tastes begin to form. Feeding them salty and sugary foods and juice will create cravings for more. Instead, offer a variety of different flavors and create a natural desire for fresh foods. Bone broth  Real bone broth made from chicken, beef, fish or other bones is simple to make and full of minerals that can boost immunity. Aside from healthy minerals, bone broth is rich in gelatin and glycosaminoglycan which promote the healthy development of bone and dental structures. Bone broth can easily be incorporated into soups, casseroles, stews and sauces – and can even be frozen in ice cube trays for reuse. Saturated fats Children need saturated fats and cholesterol in order to develop a healthy brain and nervous system. They are also vital for developing strong teeth and bones, healthy tissues and strong immune systems. The key is to buy the highest quality you can afford. Meats and eggs from pasture-raised animals are significantly higher in vital nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids and are free of antibiotics and hormones. Buying produce from local farms can guarantee freshness while keeping costs down.  Vegan sources of saturated fat also provide amazing health benefits and are usually kid-friendly. Olive and coconut oil are great for cooking with and nuts and avocado make great nutrient-dense snacks that can keep children from craving junk food. Fermented foods From pickles to yogurt, finding a few fermented foods to add to your child’s diet can help keep them healthy. Fermented foods are rich in probiotics, which increase healthy gut bacteria, and have been linked to stronger immunity, better digestion and fewer allergies.  Since fermented foods come in so many different flavor and texture profiles, finding at least one that your child enjoys should be relatively easy. Almost any vegetable can be pickled and sauerkraut, kimchi and pickles can be refrigerated for long periods of time. Organic, plain yogurt and kefir are great additions to smoothies and can make a quick breakfast when you’re on the go. Children have a natural drive to be active and get the right kind of exercise, so take advantage of it. With recess being shortened and physical education being cut out of many schools, having the opportunity to exercise at home is crucial.  Turn your back yard into a mini gym by providing heavy things to play with, obstacles to jump around and sand for digging in. If you don’t have a yard, make it a daily habit to do an outdoor activity together such as going for a walk, riding a bike or kicking a soccer ball back and forth. Keep the exercise fun and enjoy the bonding time.Jacqueline Banks is a certified holistic health counselor and busy mother. & Her focus is on helping other busy moms in all stages of motherhood keep themselves and their little ones healthy and happy. & She uses natural and organic solutions to solve individual health problems and promote clean living. Check out her website at www.jbholistic.com.& & source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/28/foods-that-could-prevent-type-2-diabetes-in-children/
Some days you’re so sleep deprived, stressed out and overwhelmed that you feel like you might just lose your cool. But instead of having your own meltdown, read on for eight simple and effective ways you can deal with your feelings and find your inner Zen. 1. Realize that emotions are natural. As a child, you probably learned that expressing emotions wasn’t acceptable behavior with messages like “big girls don’t cry,” or “I’ll give you something to cry about.”  Yet “emotions are just pure physiology in the body,” said Jude Bijou, a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and author of Attitude Reconstruction: A Blueprint for Building a Better Life.  And all feelings are rooted in just three emotions: anger, sadness and fear. Expressing them is perfectly normal, even healthy, Bijou said. 2. Have a Plan B. Tantrums, meltdowns and sibling fights are inevitable, but if you anticipate and plan ahead, you’ll be more equipped to handle tough situations, according to Nicole Knepper, a licensed clinical professional counselor and author of Moms Who Drink and Swear: True Tales of Loving My Kids While Losing My Mind. Some ideas: throw your tantruming tot into the bath and let him or her play while you take your own time out or take a trip to the park during the witching hour. 3. Adjust your expectations. If you’re trying to be the perfect mom and follow every piece of advice you hear, you’ll only set yourself up for frustration and disappointment. Instead, reevaluate and do what’s realistic for your family.  “Don’t think about how it should be; look at how it is,” Knepper said. 4. Check out. Stuck at home with the kids on a rainy day? Set the kids up with any activity and take a 20 minute break to read a magazine, take a bath or call a friend. “Any way that you find brings you comfort and support, take it,” Knepper said.   5. Laugh it off. According to a recent Oxford University study, a good belly laugh releases mood-boosting endorphins and can even help relieve pain. “It’s OK to see the fun in the dysfunction,” Knepper said, “because if you don’t, you will set yourself up for an absolute crack up.” 6. Release the energy. Counting to 10 or taking deep breaths are surprisingly ineffective ways to deal with emotions, but moving the energy out of the body in a physical way—much like a child does—is. “It breaks that grip that the emotions have on you,” Bijou said. So if you’re angry, push your hand against the door jam, stomp your feet on the floor, pound your fist into the mattress or just say, “Ughh!” If you’re feeling blue, have a good cry. For fear, instead of tightening up your body, shake and shiver it out. Are the kids around?  Go into another room or explain that you’re upset and that it will pass in a minute. 7. Learn acceptance. It’s hard to discipline your child when your emotions are running high, but if you accept his or her behavior in the moment, it will be much easier to communicate the way you want him or her to act.  “Rather [than saying] ‘She should be different,’ say, ‘That’s the way she is.’ Re-orient your thinking into acceptance rather than expectation,” Bijou said.   8. Get help. Twenty-eight percent of stay at home moms and 17 percent of working moms say they’re depressed, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. If you feel like you just can’t get a handle on your emotions, reach out to family or friends for support or seek professional help.Julie Revelant is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, health, food and women's issues and a mom. Learn more about Julie at revelantwriting.com.source : http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/12/8-healthy-ways-to-cope-with-your-emotions/