Calcium Helps Ward Off Colon Cancer

***Not only does Sheryl Crow do P90X for her fabulous body, she also gets her calcium!

MONDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- High dietary intake of calcium may reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer, especially for women, but has no apparent effect in reducing other malignancies, a U.S. National Cancer Institute study finds.

Why calcium should influence cancer risk differently in women versus men isn't clear, said Yikyung Park, a staff scientist at NCI who led the study. "One can speculate that hormonal or metabolic factors contribute to this difference," she said.

Park and her colleagues relied on data for nearly 500,000 men and women who participated in the U.S. National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. Participants filled out a food questionnaire when they enrolled and then were followed for an average of seven years.

"In both men and women, dairy food and calcium intakes were inversely associated with cancers of the digestive system," the researchers reported in the Feb. 23 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The top one-fifth of women with the highest intake averaged 1,881 milligrams of calcium per day. This group experienced a 23 percent lower risk of colon cancer than those women in the lowest fifth of intake, who averaged 494 milligrams daily. The comparable reduction for men was 16 percent.

The U.S. Institute of Medicine recommends a daily calcium intake of 1,200 milligrams for adults 50 and older, roughly the amount found in three cups a day of the dairy products that are the main sources of calcium. Other sources of calcium include sardines and green, leafy vegetables.

Calcium has been shown to reduce abnormal growths and induce normal turnover of cells in the gastrointestinal system, the report noted.

The study was done because "calcium has been hypothesized to play different roles in different cancer sites, but testing has been incomplete, inconsistent and limited," Park said.

One expert said the study is an important one. "This is the first paper looking at calcium, dairy products and all cancers combined," said Marji McCullough, strategic director of nutritional epidemiology at the American Cancer Society. The findings, she said, "were consistent with the previous literature."

For example, a controlled trial reported last year found no protective effect of calcium intake against breast cancer. The new report confirms that finding, and also finds that the nutrient offers no protective effect against prostate cancer.

The NCI study results "are consistent with guidelines for a healthy diet," McCullough said. "But it is important for people to understand that they shouldn't go overboard on calcium."

No additional protective effect was found for calcium intakes greater than 1,300 milligrams a day, according to the NCI study.

Current calcium recommendations are best met by dietary sources rather than supplements, McCullough added, in part because diet offers more than just calcium. "Calcium and vitamin D and are highly correlated in the diet, and it is difficult to isolate a single component," she said. "It may be that a combination of nutrients is important."

The combination of calcium of vitamin D is important, since vitamin D facilitates calcium's absorption by the digestive system. The skin makes vitamin D naturally through exposure to sunlight.

Another report in the same issue of the journal finds that that a combination of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid appears to reduce the risk among women of age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of vision loss for older Americans.

A controlled trial including more than 5,400 women 40 and older found a 34 percent lower incidence of the eye disorder in women taking the vitamins compared to those taking an inactive placebo, said the report by researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.

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Green Goddess is YUM

If you are looking for a healthy shake recipe, look no further! I can personally tell you that Green Goddess ROCKS!!!! I even have my hubby hooked! You just need to get past the fact that it looks like baby poo. :D

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Hump Day Humor

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My brother and I today

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Timing Matters

Reprint from Carl Daikeler's Blog (Beachbody CEO)

I woke up this morning at 4:45AM with alarms going off in my head. “Now. Right now. People need to start right now.” That is what I heard in my head, loud and clear and I couldn’t go back to sleep.

If you want to change your circumstance and come out of this economy with a completely redefined financial picture, now is the time to act. Now.

Screw the news about the economy. Economy-eschmonomy. When there is a shift in the marketplace, that’s the best time to take a bold step and redefine your personal situation.

Warren Buffet doesn’t by stocks when the market is up. He buys them when they’re down. But opportunity is not all about stocks. When the marketplace turns upside down and is distracted by fear, that’s when you can take action to reposition yourself. It’s an opportunity to redefine your place in the market.

If you used to be on the bottom looking up at “the haves”, this is your chance to build a place for yourself, because “the haves” are in retreat. Disarray breeds opportunity for those who see through the near-term fear and take action.

The play right now is not to baton-down-the-hatches and just “weather the storm”. You’ve been doing too much of that anyway. Stop waiting for your chance - make your chance! Otherwise you will find yourself exactly where you were before the economy soured. The U.S. is gearing up for what I think will be a surge of creativity and productivity. That’s why this is a time to take action and position yourself for it; put the resources you have to work, be it expertise, faith in yourself, sweat, or some other value proposition. Leverage this amazing opportunity to improve your situation… but do it right now.

This is your moment, when the world broke open the existing infrastructure and is about to pour new cement to rebuild the foundation. Find opportunity and act on it. Lay your foundation for financial independence when the economy gets back to normal and things resume. Don’t get caught stuck in your prior role when the cement of this new foundation sets! You need to take action now!

These are the kind of moments that separate the people who achieve something from those who are always living at the effect of the world around them. And while I don’t like to talk about myself, let me say this: I have never been the latter. I have never lived at the effect of things. Yes, it takes persistence, focus, and courage not to simply follow, but to build something for yourself. But I don’t know how to live life any other way.

If you are tired of living without the absolute freedom you want. If you are tired of having to skimp and save, where your choices are limited by the next pay check or the mood of your employer, stop expecting so little of yourself and your life! It’s time to step up. Be bold. Step out of your comfort zone, and work to earn the freedom that’s waiting for you.

If I can do it, if any one of our coaches can do it, you can do it. You can have what you want, and this is the time to commit yourself to not just surviving, but to completely upgrading your situation and the situation of your family. The roles are shifting right now – so redefine your role before it gets defined for you by “the system.”

That’s the kind of control you have when you are fit and healthy. And that’s what being in control of your own financial destiny feels like. And for those that have joined the Beachbody Revolution, that’s what it feels like to be a coach who’s working it, working your butt off in stead of watching TV, spreading the word and building a business that pays checks every single week.

Now is the time to blow the doors off this trend of obesity because we have tools like Kathy Smith’s Project: YOU! Type 2, the world famous P90X, and the upcoming Shakeology, that will completely turn the $35 Billion weight loss industry upside down.

And now is YOUR time to get your share of it. I’m not kidding. Timing matters. Now is always the time.

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I am gonna POP

We are one week away from Brian's surgery, and the stress is getting to an all-time high. I feel like I'm dealing with so much and just don't know how much more that I can take.

Yes, it sucks that we are having to go through another surgery, BUT we knew that we would have too. I don't think that people...my family...understand EVERYTHING ELSE that I have to deal with at the same time: concern for my child while I'm gone, his homeschooling while I'm gone, our finances, my hubby's potential deployment, looking for a private school for my son for next year, and on and on and on and on. I'm dealing with MORE than just my brother's surgery, but people tend to forget that. I'm the CEO of my household...when I'm not here, my absence is felt.

I have no choice but to continue to move forward and through this. I know that things will work themselves out, but I am NOT having fun right now.

I miss normalcy. I WANT normalcy.

Have you ever felt like you just want to run away? I'm so there. At this point, I'm really just ranting for myself, but if I don't get it out, I feel like I may explode...

...like a ZIT!

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Ohhhhh...my aching head!!!

Belly Fat May Make Migraines More Likely

THURSDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Being overweight may increase the risk of migraine headaches in young and middle-aged adults, suggests a U.S. study that included 22,211 people.

Age, gender and the way body fat was distributed affected migraine risk. People ages 20 to 55 who had larger waistlines were more likely to have migraines than those with smaller waistlines.

Migraine was reported by 37 percent of women in that age group who had excess abdominal fat, compared with 29 percent of those without abdominal obesity. Among men 20 to 55 years old, 20 percent of those with excess belly fat reported migraine, compared with 16 percent of those without it.

Among those older than 55, total body obesity wasn't associated with migraine in women or men. But the risk of migraine actually decreased among women older than 55 with large waistlines.

The study, which was released Thursday, is scheduled to be presented during the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Seattle, April 25 to May 2.

"These results, while still in the early stages, suggest that losing weight in the stomach area may be beneficial for younger people who experience migraine, and especially so for women," study author Dr. B. Lee Peterlin, of Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, said in an American Academy of Neurology news release.

"Men and women have body tissue distributed in different ways," Peterlin said. "After puberty, women show more fatty tissue deposits in the hip and thigh area, while men predominately have more fatty tissue in the belly region. After menopause, women show more fatty tissue in the belly area as well. For some diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, excess fat around the waistline appears to be a stronger risk factor than total body obesity."

HealthDay

Copyright (c) 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Edition

Check out the full-page ad for P90X, currently America's #1 home fitness program! We have hit the big time, baby!!!!!

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Sheryl Crow does P90X!

See...Beachbody IS the REAL deal! Ask me!!!!!

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WAIT -- I WEIGHT HOW MUCH?

This comes from the Oct 2006 issue of Fitness. For anyone who's ever been scale-obsessed...here are ten reasons not to be.

Can you believe what you see? Not always. Ten things that can skew your reading, from what you're wearing to how much fun you had last night. By Cynthia Sass, R.D.

Good news for every woman who's ever had a total scale meltdown: The number staring back at you might not be quite right. "Depending on a variety of factors that have nothing to do with body fat or even the scale's accuracy, your weight can vary by several pounds from day to day," says Andrea Giancoli, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. In fact, experts agree that your body-fat percentage and your physical measurements, rather than your weight, provide a more accurate picture of your health. So before you freak out over the digital readout, keep in mind: a) It's just a number, people! and b) It will yo-yo. Here's why:

1) You're wearing something other than your birthday suit.

Adds: up to 6 pounds.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but how much can you realistically deduct? We tested a few different outfits and found that a sports bra and running shorts probably won't nudge the needle, but sneakers can cause a two-pound jump. Didn't make it into your workout wear this morning? A light bathrobe will up the number by one, a heavy terry-cloth robe by two and a complete outfit (jeans, T-shirt, blazer and boots) by about six.


2)You just took a seriously sweat-inducing cardio class.

Subtracts: up to 5 pounds.

When you work out at a high intensity, whether in a Spinning class or on a hard run, most of the calories you burn come from glycogen (a form of carbohydrate stored in muscle). The depletion of this high-energy fuel can show up as a dramatic shift in weight. But don't mistake the sharp drop in pounds for a loss of bodyfat. "Glycogen accounts for much of the weight you've lost directly after exercise. The rest is cause by water loss through sweat, says Bob Seebohar, R.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of Florida. But hey, if seeing that lower number on the scale keeps you motivated to put the bike shorts back on tomorrow, forget you just read that!

3. You polished off a big bottle of water five minutes ago.

Adds: more than 2 pounds.

Water has no calories, so it can't cause fat gain. But a liter of H2O weighs more than two pounds, so after you down a standard bottle of water, the scale will automatically go up by that much. "Most small weight fluctuations are due to shifts in body water," says Giancoli. The full two pounds will register on the scale only during the first few minutes after you drink it; then, as it's depeleted via perspiration, breathing and other bodily functions, your weight will inch down accordingly (that's why it never hurts to hit the loo before hopping on the scale).


4. You had a few drinks last night.

Subtracts: 3 to 5 pounds.

Alcohol depletes your body of water. (Dehydration is what gives you morning-after cotton mouth and a splitting headache.) Alcohol also irritates the digestive system and can cause diarrhea. This diuretic/laxative combo makes some women look and feel leaner the day after a night out, but while the scale readout will drop, it won't stay down for long. "Your weight will bounce back to normal as soon as you replenish lost fluids," says ADA spokesperson Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., R.D.

5. You had a "light" lunch.

Adds: up to 3 pounds.

Often, the healthiest meals are the heaviest in terms of weight. Filling, diet-friendly foods such as broth-based vegetable soup or salad loaded with veggies are full of fiber and water, both of which have zero calories but add bulk to your plate and, for a brief time, your stomach. So eating them can cause a short-term rise in the number on the scale, even though they'll actually help you reduce body fat over time. Depending on your rate of digestion, the added weight of a large but diet-friendly lunch won't stick to you longer than 12 to 24 hours.


6. You skimped on carbs today.

Subtracts: 3 to 5 pounds.

If you eat nothing but egg whites for breakfast and a protein shake for lunch, your weight on the scale will fall by late afternoon -- but not because protein magically melts away body fat. Like a tough workout, high-protein diets that leave you short on whole grains and fruits can cause your muscles to use up glycogen. They can also generate extra waste products, which makes you pee a lot, pulling more water out of your body. "Carbs stored as glycogen are like sponges that hold water. When you eat fewer cabrs, you lose water; when you eat more carbs, you retain water," says Giancoli. But to lose a pound of fat, you much cut 3,500 calories through either diet or exercise, so losing one or more pounds in a single day is a sure sign that you are shedding water instead of fat.

7. You indulged a salt craving.

Adds: 4 to 5 pounds.

If you wake up feeling puffy and your rings and watch are fused to your skin, you're experiencing a full-on bloat. Consuming salty foods, such as canned soup, frozen meals or Chinese takeout with plenty of soy sauce, can cause your body to retain water in order to dilute excess sodium. "Drinking more water will help flush both the sodium and the excess fluids from your body and will normalize your weight," says Amy Gerardo, a registered nurse and American Council on Exercise-certified personal trainer in St. Petersburg, Florida.


8. You're sick.

Subtracts: up to 5 pounds.

Cold and flu symptoms like sneezing and coughing can cause temporary dehydration, and a loss of fluids means a drop on the scale. "In the first day or two of being sick, you will probably get a lower reading, but the truth is that almost none of the weight you lose is body fat -- it's nearly all water," says Giancoli. So don't be too disappointed when you quickly regain as you recover.

9. You can't, ahem, "go".

Adds: 2 to 6 pounds.

When you're constipated, you have excess solid waste in your GI tract, which carries weight. "'Going' at least every other day is considered normal; any less than that can temporarily affect the number on the scale," says Dr. Gerbstadt. Several not-so-ideal dieting practices, such as low-carb dieting, drastically reducing calories, skipping meals and restricting fluids, can lead to constipation. This means that some weight-loss attempts (albeit unhealthy ones) may actually lead to a temporary rise in weight rather than a drop. "Whether or not it's due to a fad diet, consuming insufficient fiber and/or water can lead to dense stool, which can weigh two to six pounds," says Dr. Gerbstadt. Ease constipation by gradually increasing your intake of water and soluble [sic], fiber-rich foods (such as oatmeal, citrus fruit, pears and beans).


10. You had a few extra cups of joe.

Subtracts: about 2 pounds.

Guzzling coffee during the morning meeting might not be as much fun as guzzling cocktails at happy hour, but the effects are similar. Caffeine is a mild diuretic; it also stimulates the digestive tract and bowel movements, and it can suppress your appetite. Between the extra trips to the bathroom and the smaller helpings, your weight may drop. "But once that lost water is replaced, your weight will return to normal fairly quickly," says Dr. Gerbstadt.

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Duty and Honor

It's hard to be a military spouse. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. I want nothing more than to be selfish and tell my husband to get out of the military, but darn it, he LOVES it. I'm proud of him for the loyalty that he has to his men and to his country.

From a spouse perspective, the uncertainty of everything sucks. Just because I am told something doesn't mean that it won't change. It makes it hard to trust. Things can change in an instant.

For example, last month we found out that my husband was going to be deployed to Iraq with his men. We've been holding off telling our little guy. Two days ago, my husband comes home with the wonderful news that he has been promoted and is being transferred to a different unit that just came back from deployment.

I should be rejoicing, right?

The answer is yes, except there is a possibility that he will still be deployed with his current unit if they need him. It makes it very hard to take that deep breath and be happy. The lack of control on my part is a difficult pill to swallow. On a mioptic level, I just want to be in my own little safe bubble with my family.

I'm so proud of the men and women who sacrifice for our freedom. I'm so proud to be part of something bigger than myself. I guess that it the lesson of a military wife...it's not about me.

God Bless our troops!

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Hump Day Humor

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