Tuesday, April 7

HEALTH

A Nutritionist Explains The Science Behind An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away
NUTRITION

A Nutritionist Explains The Science Behind An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? A nutritionist explains the science behind ‘functional’ foods. We’ve all heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but how true is that? Apples are not high in vitamin A, nor are they beneficial for vision like carrots. They are not a great source of vitamin C and therefore don’t fight off colds as oranges do. However, apples contain various bio-active substances – natural chemicals that occur in small amounts in foods and that have biological effects in the body. These chemicals are not classified as nutrients like vitamins. Because apples contain many health-promoting bio-active substances, the fruit is considered a “functional” food. For years, I have taught university classes on nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carbs, prot...
‘Calories In, Calories Out’ It’s Time To Bust The Weight-Loss Myth
SELF-CARE

‘Calories In, Calories Out’ It’s Time To Bust The Weight-Loss Myth

It’s time to bust the ‘calories in, calories out’ weight-loss myth. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, there’s a good chance you’ve been told it all comes down to a simple “calories in, calories out” formula: burn more calories than you consume, and the kilos will disappear. And it’s easy to see the appeal of breaking weight loss down into simple maths – just follow the formula, and you’ll achieve success. It’s also believable because many people do lose weight when they first adopt this approach. Indeed, the diet industry’s reliance on the “calories in, calories out” concept is why society blames people for being overweight. Anyone who can’t follow this simple energy formula is only overweight because they lack the willpower to eat less and exercise more. But the only simple truth he...
Staying Safe As A Young Black Woman Living On Her Own
SELF-CARE

Staying Safe As A Young Black Woman Living On Her Own

Seeking Safety as a Black Woman in New Cities. I have moved three times in the past 13 months. My academic career-climbing has propelled me across the country from my longtime residence near Washington, D.C., to the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area, followed by a brief return to living New York City–adjacent. Now that I’ve finally secured a coveted tenure-track job, I have landed in upstate New York—Syracuse, to be precise. With each new move, I think about my safety as a young Black woman living on her own. The first rule is to never look too out of place; my vigilance is heightened in areas where I know I look like I don’t belong. “Belonging” is a complex concept, but I try to stay in areas that have rich diversity, from race and ethnicity to age, dress, and gender identity. When I first ...
You’re Not Alone If You’re Hearing Voices
SELF-CARE, VIDEO REELS

You’re Not Alone If You’re Hearing Voices

Hearing voices? You’re not alone. From the little voice telling us we’re no good to the one offering advice, the experience of hearing voices is more common than you might think. It is estimated that 13.2% of the adult general population are subject to it, yet this experience still carries much stigma. Whom can you turn to when you’re no longer alone in your head? For several decades now, the international Hearing Voices Movement (HVM) has been campaigning to improve the way this condition is perceived. Two recent studies conducted at the University of Lorraine in eastern France have assessed how its support groups have impacted the French health care system. Changing textbooks You’re hearing voices and in one fell swoop, the gavel falls: you’re mad. How could it be otherwise? You don’t...
Working During Menopause
FOR THE W, SELF-CARE

Working During Menopause

Millions of women are working during menopause, but US law isn’t clear on employees’ rights or employers’ obligations. While she was interviewing Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler in March 2023, Drew Barrymore suddenly exclaimed: “I’m so hot … I think I’m having my first hot flash!” She took off her blazer and fanned herself dramatically. While most hot flashes aren’t televised, the entertainer’s experience was far from unique. Barrymore, age 48, is one of approximately 15 million U.S. women from 45 to 60 who work full time and may experience menopausal symptoms. Unlike Barrymore, most women are silent about their menopausal symptoms. Yet their symptoms, even when concealed from employers and co-workers, are a burden on them, their workplaces and on the overall U.S. economy. Lost work p...
Junk Food Diets Lacking In Micro-Nutrients May Contribute To Angry Rhetoric
NUTRITION

Junk Food Diets Lacking In Micro-Nutrients May Contribute To Angry Rhetoric

Junk food and the brain: How modern diets lacking in micronutrients may contribute to angry rhetoric. Emotional, non-rational, even explosive remarks in public discourse have escalated in recent years. Politicians endure insults during legislative discussions; scientists receive emails and tweets containing verbal abuse and threats. What’s going on? This escalation in angry rhetoric is sometimes attributed to social media. But are there other influences altering communication styles? As researchers in the field of nutrition and mental health, and authors of The Better Brain, we recognize that many in our society experience brain hunger, impairing their cognitive function and emotion regulation. Ultra-processed products Obviously, we are not deficient in macronutrients: North Americans ...
Mercury Retrograde What Does It Mean For You?
SELF-CARE

Mercury Retrograde What Does It Mean For You?

Between 29th May 2023 and 22nd June 2023 Mercury will be in retrograde and this can cause havoc with our lives. This is because the planet goes in to reverse and has a kind of stop start approach to the earth. It is not just the planet earth that is affected by this but more particularly those with Aries, Libra, Gemini, Virgo in their birth signs. This means that you will need to keep on top of things and make sure your computer is sound. If you are sending texts and emails then double check them and that they go to the right people. You are now aware of this situation and so you can do all you can to protect yourself and your things from the influence of Mercury Retrograde. Your thoughts could also be affected by Mercury which is the planet of communication and travel. You need to think...
In All Reality, Energy/Protein Bars Might Be Junk Food
NUTRITION

In All Reality, Energy/Protein Bars Might Be Junk Food

Energy/Protein Bars Might Be Junk Food In Reality. They are being sold everywhere... energy/protein bars claiming to be good for you and good for burning fat and adding muscle... On closer inspection, however, looking at the food label, you will find a long list of dangerous ingredients. There are a lot of different kinds of these bars available these days... it's not always easy to figure out whether one of these nutrition bars is good for you or if it is unhealthy. If you want to find the right bar for you... you absolutely must start looking at the food labels. In my honest opinion, the majority of bars being sold today are garbage... they're candy falsely claiming to be healthy. Weight loss bars are just as bad. They're often full of corn syrup and other harmful substances... You ...
Understanding The Cycle Of OCD
MENTAL HEALTH

Understanding The Cycle Of OCD

Obsessive compulsive disorder is more common than you think. But it can take 9 years for an OCD diagnosis. Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a misunderstood mental illness despite affecting about one in 50 people – that’s about half a million Australians. Our new research shows how long and fraught the path to diagnosis and treatment can be. This initial study showed it takes an average of almost nine years to receive a diagnosis of OCD and about four months to get some form of help. What is OCD? OCD affects children, adolescents and adults. About 60% report symptoms before the age of 20. One misconception is that OCD is mild: someone who is extra tidy or likes cleaning. You might have even heard someone say they are “a little bit OCD” while joking about having beautiful stati...
OCD Is A Bully
MENTAL HEALTH

OCD Is A Bully

OCD Is a Bully, But You Can Stand Up to It! This article is based on the concept of standing up to OCD as if it is a school bully. It introduces concepts into a well-known and widely used technique that is employed by therapists for helping those with OCD. This article is also stipulates the hard work and effort that is required by people who suffer OCD to manage this potentially crippling disorder. This article also shares true insights and realities of effectively managing OCD. OCD is misunderstood. It is often misunderstood by the general public/the general community and sometimes even those working in the mental health sector, however it should be acknowledged that nurses and other workers indeed generally have a solid understanding of mental health problems and many workers have a...