The Best Excuse to Eat Sushi

The Dinner That Could Help You Live Longer？


As if you really needed convincing, here’s one more reason to order that salmon avocado roll: Higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death in adults over age 65, according to a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Most observational studies on the topic have relied on self-reported fish consumption. But for this long-term observational study, researchers examined the blood levels of three kinds of omega-3s in about 2,700 participants aged 65 and older. The study tracked those participants for 16 years, and the participants with the highest omega-3 levels in their blood lived, on average, 2.2 years longer than those with the lowest levels.

The people with the highest blood omega-3 levels also had a 27 percent lower risk of dying from all causes when compared to the people with the lowest blood omega-3 levels. The risk of death from coronary heart disease in particular was significantly lower.

While this study followed older adults, the findings are relevant to younger people, as well, says lead study researcher Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, doctor of public health and an associate professor in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. “If you start at a young age and eat fish your whole life, the benefits could be even greater,” he says.

That’s particularly true since the good news about seafood keeps rolling in: In a study presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual meeting, omega-3 were shown to considerably slow or even stop the proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Another new animal study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that fish oil has immune-boosting benefits and may be good for people with a compromised immune system.

So how much fish should you eat if you want to reap its health benefits? Try for an average of 400 milligrams per day, which you can get if you have fish twice per week, says Mozaffarian. (The omega-3s get into your tissues and last for several days, so you don’t have to eat it every single day.) Keep in mind that omega-3 content varies among the different fish species; fatty types like salmon, herring, anchovies, bass, trout, white tuna, and swordfish pack the most.

EAT SUSHI =P

6 Easy Ways to Avoid Common Chemicals

#1 Say No to Paper Receipts
Nearly 40 percent of the printed slips you get after making a purchase—at stores, restaurants, ATMs, and the like—are coated with the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), per an Environmental Working Group study. The problem? BPA, also famously found in canned foods, has been linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes, infertility, and heart disease. "BPA is dusted onto receipt surfaces to activate printing dye; it can rub off on your fingers in seconds and enter your bloodstream within hours," says study author Sonya Lunder, M.P.H.

Stay extra safe: If you must get a receipt (say, to keep track of office expenses), ask for an e-mailed version. If you have to get a paper one, wash your hands as soon as possible with soap and water. It may also help to regularly chow down on folate-rich leafy greens such as spinach or kale. Duke University studies suggest that this might counteract the cellular damage done by BPA.

#2 Paint with Care
Pretty, deep tones may look sharp on your walls, but vivid paint can release dangerous gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), even months after it has dried. Used to keep colors from fading and separating, VOCs have been associated with neurological damage (brain fog, balance issues), infertility, and birth defects, says Walter Crinnion, N.D., chair of the environmental medicine department at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. (Use your nose as a guide: The stronger the smell of the paint, the more VOCs it contains.)

Stay extra safe: No matter what hue you choose, never paint a room unless you'll be able to open its windows for at least 24 straight hours afterward. Be sure to always choose zero-or low-VOC paints (they should be clearly labeled) and skip redecorating altogether if you're pregnant or hoping to be anytime soon, says Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., coauthor of The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to Women's Health.

#3 Clear Your Air
Many spray or plug-in air fresheners hide a dirty secret: Along with scents, they emit hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates, which can cause infertility. The toxins have also been linked to obesity: "On average, the higher a person's phthalate level, the bigger her belt size," says Crinnion. Even "all-natural" air fresheners may contain phthalates—used to give scents staying power—according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. In fact, the stuff often goes unlisted on ingredients labels, hiding within the more general category of "fragrance." Avoid prepackaged air fresheners and opt for natural potpourri made from lemon peels and baking soda.

Stay extra safe: Research shows that houseplants can strip the surrounding air of harmful toxins. A-plus options include English ivy and philodendrons. Four to five pots per big room can do the trick, says Crinnion. (P.S. Cut flowers smell lovely but don't have detoxifying powers.)

#4 Rehab Your Closet
Breathing the fumes emitted from dry-cleaned clothes has been associated with dizziness, fatigue, headache, and vision problems. And not just fresh-out-of-the-wrapper clothes: A 2011 study inEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry found high levels of perchloroethylene (PERC), a potentially carcinogenic dry-cleaning solvent, on some clothes a week after they were cleaned (especially vulnerable: wool, polyester, and cotton materials). Tear off the plastic immediately and hang your threads outside or in the garage to air them out, says Loux.

Stay extra safe: Think twice before dry-cleaning or buying dry-clean-only clothes. When you must, seek out a "green cleaner," then double-check by asking if it uses PERC. (If your clothes come back with a chemical smell, it likely does.) Or learn to hand-wash delicate items—even some kinds of silks!—with cool water and gentle castile soap.

#5 Check Your Shelves
Many bookshelves are made from pressed wood (a.k.a. particleboard or fiberboard), which is actually millions of tiny wood bits held together with a glue that emits formaldehyde. Labeled a known carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, formaldehyde can also lead to headaches, skin rashes, or asthma, says Dean. If you can, invest in formaldehyde-free solid wood shelving. If that's too pricey, try plywood; yes, it's still pressed wood, but its thicker layers require less glue—and, therefore, less formaldehyde—to hold them together. Air out any new shelves outdoors or in the garage for at least three weeks before bringing them inside.

Stay extra safe: Consider opting for formaldehyde-free materials such as bamboo, eucalyptus, and corkboard to hold your stuff.

#6 Watch Where You Drive
Sitting in a drive-through lane heightens your exposure to toxic chemicals, says air-pollution expert Sumita Khatri, M.D., a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Particles of stuff like benzene spewing from car exhaust pipes around you (including your own) can infiltrate your body and lead to irregular heartbeats, among other heart woes. If you must sit in a drive-through queue, idle with your windows closed.

Stay extra safe: Revisit the way you pump gas. "While gasoline isn't classified as a carcinogen, certain components of the fuel are, and these can be present in the fumes," says Robert Emery, Dr.P.H., a professor of occupational health at the University of Texas at Houston. Put as much distance between yourself and the pump as possible and always try to stand upwind.

Make Peace with your Prostate

Weigh the Odds that Prostate Cancer Will Kill You

Last year, some 1,253,716 American men died of all causes. Only about 30,000 of them were felled by prostate cancer, and half of these men were in their 80s or older. To put that another way, even until very late in life, your odds of dying of anything but prostate cancer are nearly 98 percent. You don't have to be a Vegas bookmaker to see where you should place your bets


Know the PSA Test's Limitations

Even the best-case, cherry-picked data on outcomes suggests that only a few asymptomatic men are saved by PSA screening. "You shouldn't be moved by the illusion that the test is any good," says Arthur Caplan, Ph.D., a medical bioethicist at NYU's Langone Medical Center, "or that the often unnecessary treatment it triggers won't carry a huge risk of side effects."


Put Family History in Perspective

"Because of PSA screening, we now have all these guys saying, 'I've got a family history of this disease--my dad had it, my brother had it,'" says Mary McNaughton-Collins, M.D., M.P.H., medical director of the Boston-based Informed Medical Decisions Foundation. "But you know what? If we keep doing PSA testing, more and more men will eventually have relatives who've been diagnosed."


Think "Little C," Not Big C

Many people still believe that cancer, unless it's stopped early, is a death sentence. "But as it turns out," says Caplan, "all of us, all the time, have cancer cells within us that our bodies are fighting constantly. Cancer is a minor, chronic condition that only occasionally flares into a major problem.Find out the health hazards lying in your genes with the Cancer Calculator.Usually it's not the Big C we all fear, where you get it and whammo, you're gone." Much more often, it's the "little c."


Be Open-Minded About Another Diagnosis

For some extremely risk-averse men, a fear of dying of prostate cancer can be overwhelming. If this describes you, discuss your concerns with a trusted doctor. What's really troubling you may have less to do with future prostate cancer than current generalized anxiety disorder, a treatable condition characterized by out-of-control fears about health, family, and/or finances.

AVOID GYM GERMS

It's not all in your head: germs thrive in the warm, sweaty atmosphere at the gym. Here's how to keep them off of you—and hold your sick days for something fun.


Inspect the Gym Before Joining
Check to make sure the basics are covered—that it looks clean, they have an adequate housekeeping staff, and that the locker and workout areas look up to your standards. Also check to make sure it's well-ventilated. An air-tight gym becomes a prime spot for airborne infections.


Don't Go Barefoot
The shower, sauna, hot tubs and steam rooms are the perfect post-workout treat, but they're a breeding ground for germs. Wear flip-flops at all times to avoid irritating conditions like athlete's foot.

Don't Share Gear
It's so easy to borrow a friend's bar of soap or stick of deodorant--but resist the urge! It's a surefire way to start circulating unwanted germs and catch a nasty cold–or worse!



Cover Up Cuts
Put a band-aid on any skin break or cut you have before your workout. Open wounds–no matter how small–are all bacteria need to get into your body. If you're prone to shaving cuts, you may want to hold off until after your workout.

Disinfect
Bring your own antibacterial spray or wipes and clean off any equipment you use--before you work out--to protect yourself. (And spread good karma by doing it afterwards as well).



Don't Bare It All
You know that one girl in the locker room that proudly struts around in the buff? Yeah, don't be so impressed by her unabashed bravery. Keep a towel around you to avoid contracting germs when sitting on benches and other shared surfaces (read: the steam room).

Bring Your Own Water
Don't depend on the gym's water cooler to quench your post-workout thirst even if they have cups to spare. Drinking fountains are one of the worst breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. You are much better off bringing along your own supply of H2O.



Keep Your Hands To Yourself
If you can help it, don't touch your face while working out. Sweat and other germs picked up at the gym flock to the entryways of the nose, ears and mouth.

Shower After
And if you don't have time to shower, at least give your hands a good wash afterwards. Try singing "Happy Birthday"--that's how long your hands should be under the tap to get fully clean.

Equalization

> (Wall Ball - Ball Size) + Racket = PlaySquash 

> Exercise + Fun = PlaySquash

The World's 4 Healthiest Cocktails =)

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, but then so does a shot of organic vodka. That's the philosophy of a crafty crew of mixologists we've gathered from some of the best bars in the country. If you're going for the buzz, you might as well get some benefits right?

The Rabbit Hole
3 oz fresh carrot juice
1/2 oz fresh cucumber juice
1/2 oz Cynar, an italian herbal liqeuer
1 oz organic vodka
1 sprig sage

Combine the liquid ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with the sage sprig.

The Benefit: Lutein, which is found in carrots, can reduce your risk of cancer, says an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study.

Pepper Delicious
3 red bell pepper slices
6-8 fresh mint leaves
2 oz gin
1 oz fresh lime juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
(equal parts sugar and water)

In a shaker glass, combine 2 red pepper rings and the mint leaves and press firmly with a muddler to pulverize the peppers. Add the gin, lime juice, syrup, and ice. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with the remaining pepper ring.

The Benefit: A diet high in vitamin C, carotenoids, and lycopene (all of which are amply supplied in red peppers) reduces the incidence of chronic disease and death, according to a Spanish study of 41,000 people.

Beet Sangria
4 oz sugar
Pinch of salt
11 oz beet juice
1 oz fresh lime jiuce
3 oz fresh OJ
3 oz ginger beer (or ale)
8 oz red wine
6 oz brandy
1 oz Cointreau or other orange liqeuer

Dissolve the sugar and salt into the nonalcoholic ingredients. Add the alcohol and stir.

The Benefit: Folate in beets has been shown to lower the risk of coronary artery disease.

Avocado Daiquiri
4 oz rum
(a mix of gold and silver is best)
1/4 medium-ripe avocado
1/2 oz half-and-half
1/4 oz fresh lemon or lime juice
2 oz simple syrup
(equal parts sugar and water)
1 1/2 cups ice cubes

Combine the ingredients and blend until smooth.

The Benefit: Researchers at Ohio State University have determined that avocados protect against heart disease.

NEW STUDY: A Safer Way to Squat

The next time you squat, try using protection: Strapping on a piece of rubber could keep your knees healthy, according to a new study in the journal Sports Biomechanics.

Having a resistance band looped around your lower thighs as you perform squats signals you to push your knees out. That’s a move that can help prevent injuries like an ACL tear, the study finds.

“Pushing your knees out creates more tension in your hamstrings and glutes,” says Jim Smith, C.S.C.S., owner of Diesel Strength. “This stabilizes your knees and can help you lift more weight by distributing it more evenly across your hips.”

No band? No problem. Do this: Stand about a foot from a corner of a room, with your back facing it and each foot touching a baseboard. Squat as deeply as you can, pushing your butt toward the corner and driving your knees along the wall. Do 3 sets of 10.

The Surprising Way to Eat Healthier

Make this supermarket swap: Carrying your groceries instead of pushing a cart could lead to healthier food choices, according to a new study from Harvard University.

When given the option to eat either a healthy fruit snack or a chocolate square, people who wore heavy backpacks on their shoulders chose the fruit 78 percent of the time, while just 48 percent of those carrying lighter loads made the more nutritious choice.

It turns out that carrying something heavy actually increases your feelings of guilt, explains study coauthor Maryam Kouchaki, Ph.D. Why? Across cultures and languages, guilt is almost universally associated with feelings of heaviness, Kouchaki says. Think of common expressions like “shouldering guilt” or “this is weighing on me.”

“When individuals feel weighed down, there’s overlap between that physical sensation and the emotional experience of guilt,” Kouchaki says. And because of that overlap, carrying excess weight causes you to make less guilt-inducing choices.

Put this study to work for you by carrying a grocery bag or hand basket while you shop, Kouchaki suggests. Lugging around a heavy basket has the same effect as wearing a bulky backpack—when you haul that extra weight, you’re more likely to choose healthier foods.

7 Reasons You Need to Eat More Eggs

Many Americans were raised on the theory that eggs were loaded with artery-clogging cholesterol, and that eating them was a surefire way to promote coronary heart disease. That couldn’t be further from the truth, though. When Wake Forest University researchers reviewed some of the top scientific studies, they found no link between eating eggs and heart disease.

In fact, many leading health experts call eggs the perfect food. The white part and the yolk work together to bring you an ample serving of important vitamins, healthy fats, trace minerals, and other nutrients—all in one convenient, low-calorie package. After all, a single whole, large egg contains just 72 calories. They’re easy to cook, too—nature’s healthy version of convenience food. Here are seven reasons to put eggs back on your menu.

Instant Mood Boost
The Good News: Eggs contain a beneficial blend of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B vitamins, and iodide, nutrients that work together to battle fatigue and reverse bad moods.

Bonus Tip: Don’t be tricked by “free-range” eggs. The hens may still be housed inside of warehouses (but at least not in tiny cages)

Nourish Your Muscular System

The Good News: Eggs are one of nature’s best food sources, packaging muscle-protecting protein in a low-calorie food. The B₁₂ in eggs also aids in muscle contraction, a must for avid gardeners!

Bonus Tip: Don’t be fooled by the word natural on your egg carton. “Natural” eggs could come from hens fed antibiotics and genetically engineered feed, two things banned in organic eggs.

Guard Against Cancer

The Good News: Women who eat higher levels of choline, a nutrient found in eggs, are 24 percent less likely to develop breast cancer, according to a recent study. One large egg boasts about 30 percent of your Recommended Dietary Allowance of choline.

Bonus Tip: Most of the choline is concentrated in the yolk, so be sure to include the whole egg in your omelet.

Feed Your Brain

The Good News: The choline in eggs helps keep your memory sharp while increasing the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps your brain store and recall information better. Eggs from hens raised outside on grass pastures also contain more omega-3 fatty acids that help power your brain.

Bonus Tip: Find a farmer who raises birds on pasture and supplements with organic feed. Eggs from chickens raised on grass produce eggs with much vitamin E, which scientists believe could help protect you from developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Save Your Sight
The Good News: Eggs are a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that help stave off macular degeneration and cataracts. (Just be sure to eat the yolks!)

Bonus Tip: For an even more potent eye-protecting meal, mix lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich kale or spinach into your omelet.

Slim Down
The Good News: Here’s a delicious way to lose weight! Researchers from Louisiana State University found that when obese people choose an egg breakfast over bagels at least five times a week, they lost 65 percent more weight. And Saint Louis University scientists discovered that eating eggs in the morning led to eating fewer calories throughout the rest of the day, too.

Bonus Tip: Organic, Animal Welfare Approved, and Certified Humane eggs ban the practice of routinely feeding antibiotics to hens.

Stop Extinction
The Good News: You can help preserve old-school chicken breeds based on the eggs you choose to eat. Industrial farming generally uses one or two different hen breeds, which threatens the diversity of the species’ gene pool. Luckily, demand for heritage breed eggs is causing a surge in other breeds—some that were or are on the verge of extinction!

CooL NicoL

Nicol Ann David as the world's highest-ranked female squash player in the world.

That's right, I said squash.

It's sort of like racquetball except squash has a "tin," which is the lower area on the front wall where it is illegal to hit the ball.

at Bleacher Report BY TIMOTHY RAPP

 (FEATURED COLUMNIST) ON AUGUST 31, 2011