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Fresh Food for Thought!
As part of our efforts to share useful information about the benefits of simple natural foods, we proudly feature our updated version of "Food Facts" - a resource of the benefits of common and not so common foods. This feature emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds - some of the foods most widely accepted as health-promoting, yet still some of the least consumed foods. The descriptions include nutrition highlights, research-based benefits, as well as traditional folk uses of the foods. We will continue to add new foods from time to time. So, take some time to discover how some of your favorite fruits and veggies support your well-being. You may even discover some new favorites!
Reporting on breaking news stories relevant to a lifestyle of health and sustainability
Increase in children's health issues forecasts bigger problems in healthcare.
Chronic diseases in kids will inevitably raise health-care spending and disability risk, according to a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The number of U.S. children with chronic health problems such as obesity has soared in the past four decades, foreshadowing increases in adult disability and income support, and public health-care spending, researchers said.
More time in front of the television and use of other electronic media, decreased physical activity, increased time spent indoors, increased consumption of fast foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, and changes in parenting are all likely to blame, say researchers.
According to their studies, in the early 1970s, about 5 percent of children ages 5 to 18 were obese, compared to about 18 percent now, the researchers said. Asthma rates are estimated at 9 percent among these children, doubling since the 1980s.
About 6 percent of school-age children currently report an ADHD diagnosis, also a dramatic increase in recent decades.
In many children, these health conditions continue into adulthood and can be expected to raise health care costs while devaluing quality of life. This is why the researchers agree that one of the most important messages is that we really need to focus on prevention.
What do YOU think….
Are parents responsible for our rising health care costs?
Email us at info@therawchoice.com to share your opinion.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is real
In a WASHINGTON (Reuters) article, the CDC comments on the rise in Chronic fatigue syndrome, a real disease that they say affects more than a million Americans. Up to 80 percent of people with chronic fatigue do not know they have it, the CDC said. Its causes are unknown but it can cause profound exhaustion, sleep difficulties, and problems concentrating and remembering. Flu-like symptoms, including pain in the joints and muscles, tender lymph nodes, sore throat and headaches are also common. No one therapy works but reducing stress, dietary restrictions, gentle stretching and nutritional supplementation, have all been shown to help.
The CDC launched an awareness campaign about chronic fatigue on Friday and published a dedicated Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/.
Children showing hardening of arteries
This CHICAGO (Reuters) article talks about a newly published study that found an increasing number of children with risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and diabetes, are showing signs of narrowing and hardening of the arteries, conditions normally associated with adults. Researchers found atherosclerosis begins in childhood. Children at risk already show signs of heart disease, including arterial wall thickness and decreased flexibility of blood vessels.
70 percent of dieters go solo, with no doctor
This article begins "Besides extra pounds, dieters also seem to carry a hefty independent streak. A survey finds that 70 percent of Americans who are trying to lose weight are following their own diet plans and have no interest in seeking a doctor's help." The findings are based on a survey done by the University of Connecticut through random phone calls to 3,500 adults nationwide from Nov. 18, 2005 , to Jan 10, 2006 .
Read article: http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/11/06/diet.trends.ap/index.html
