Know a pregnant smoker who’s planning to quit the instant she gives birth? Speed-dial her and say, “Not soon enough!” A study of 8- to 16-year-olds shows that kids exposed to smoke in the womb are six times more likely to have asthma than children of nonsmokers are. And smoking is now tied to 5% to 8% of premature births.

Every year, about 140,000 Americans die as a result of a stroke. Strokes are also the leading cause of serious long-term disability. You can reduce your risk by controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol, losing excess weight, not smoking and getting regular exercise. But diet matters, too. In addition to cutting down on salty foods, here are five other study-based steps that may help reduce the risk of stroke. These new studies add to the growing evidence that a plant-based diet—with some fish and a little alcohol—is not only good for your heart, but for your brain as well.

Eat More Citrus

Women who consumed the most citrus were less likely to have an ischemic (clot-related) stroke than women who consumed the least, according to data from the well-known Nurses’ Health Study, reported in the journal Stroke. The researchers attributed the benefit to compounds in citrus called flavanones, which may reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. Other substances in citrus, including potassium, may also play a role.

Eat More Apples and Pears, Too

This advice comes from a Dutch study, also published in the journal Stroke. People who ate the most white-fleshed produce (at least 6 ounces a day, excluding potatoes) had half the risk of stroke over 10 years, compared to those who ate the least. Apples and pears are rich in substances known as flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Other white fruits and vegetables, such as onions, mushrooms and cauliflower, may also be protective.

Get Enough Magnesium

A Swedish analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that for every 100-milligram daily increase in dietary magnesium, there was a 9 percent drop in stroke risk. (The recommended daily intake is 320 milligrams for women, 420 for men, and most people fall short.) Many studies have linked dietary magnesium to lower blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk, but those using supplements have had inconsistent results. The best sources are leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, beans, seeds and fish.

Drink a Little Alcohol (Not a Lot)

In another study in the journal Stroke that looked at women from the Nurses’ Health Study, light to moderate alcohol consumption (up to one drink a day) was associated with a lower risk of all strokes. No benefit—and possibly increased stroke risk—was seen at higher amounts. Alcohol, in moderation, may help prevent blood clots and has a beneficial effect on cholesterol. But, as other studies have shown, high amounts can increase blood pressure and have other negative cardiovascular effects.

Limit Trans Fat

A study of the participants in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, published in the Annals of Neurology, found that those who consumed the most trans fats (averaging 6 grams a day) were nearly 40 percent more likely to have an ischemic stroke than those who consumed the least (averaging 2 grams a day). Other fats and dietary cholesterol had no effect on stroke risk. This was true even after the researchers controlled for other dietary, lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors. Trans fats have been removed from many (but hardly all) foods in recent years.

The article above was from UC Berkeley Wellness newsletter

Objective
To assess the effects of dental health on school performance and psychosocial well-being in a nation-
ally representative sample of children in the US.
Study design
We analyzed data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health for 40752-41988 children.
The effects of dental problems and maternal-rated dental health on school performance and psychosocial well-
being outcomes were evaluated using regression models adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics.
Results
Dental problems were significantly associated with reductions in school performance and psychosocial well-being. Children with dental problems were more likely to have problems at school (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.37-1.72) and to miss school (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.23-1.64) and were less likely to do all required homework (OR =0.76;
95% CI: 0.68-0.85). Dental problems were associated with shyness, unhappiness, feeling of worthlessness, and
reduced friendliness. The effects of dental problems on unhappiness and feeling of worthlessness were largest
for adolescents between 15 and 17 years.
Conclusion
Preventing and treating dental problems and improving dental health may benefit child academic
achievement and cognitive and psychosocial development.
(J Pediatr 2012;161:1153-9)

The above abstract is from The Journal of Pediatrics

If you have any questions about our children’s dental health, please contact Diamond Dental . We would love to help you learn more.
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A recent study found that a parent who fears the dentist may pass that fear on to family members. The higher the level of dentist dear or anxiety in 1 family member, the higher the level in the rest of the family. The study shows the need to involve both mothers and fathers to prevent children’s dentist fear and the need for fathers to regularly visit the dentist and display no signs of fear.

The above abstract is from the CDA Journal, February 2013

Please contact Diamond Dental to schedule your 1st appointment, Dads!!

No question, coconut water is healthful and hydrating. But sold as a “functional beverage,” is it all it’s cracked up to be?

This tropical tonic is showing up everywhere. People drink it at the gym, the beach, on hiking trails, even while just taking a stroll or sitting at their desks. Endorsements by athletes and celebrities such as Alex Rodriguez, Matthew McConaughey, and Madonna have also helped fuel sales.

The basics: Coconut water is the thin liquid inside young green coconuts–not to be confused with creamier coconut milk, which is made by grating and squeezing the white flesh of older coconuts (the water is absorbed into the flesh as the coconut ripens). It provides lots of potassium (about 550 milligrams per 8 ounces, more than a banana), along with other electrolytes–sodium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. Some brands are fortified with extra nutrients, like vitamin C. Pure coconut water, with a mildly sweet flavor from natural sugars, is virtually fat-free and low in calories, though some products have more due to added sugars and/or fruit purée.

Better than Gatorade? Coconut water is widely promoted as a natural sports drink because of its electrolytes. A Malaysian study in 2002 found that it was as good as a carbohydrate-based sports drink for rehydration and restoring blood sugar levels after exercise, plus it caused no stomach upset and was easier to drink in large quantities.

Coconut water generally has much more potassium and less sodium than traditional sports drinks. Commercial brands typically have 60 milligrams of sodium or less per 8 ounces, compared to about 100 milligrams in sports drinks. An analysis from Consumerlab.com, however, found that two out of three popular coconut water brands contained even less sodium and magnesium than their labels claimed. One had just 11 milligrams of sodium (not 60 as listed).

Keep in mind, though, that unless you work out intensely for more than an hour, you don’t need any sports drink or extra sodium; plain water is just fine. On the other hand, if you sweat a lot during strenuous exercise, you may need a bit more sodium than coconut water provides.

Calling all claims: Because coconut water has an electrolyte balance similar to that of blood (it’s “isotonic”), it has been called “the fluid of life.” During World War II, it was reportedly used as a substitute for intravenous plasma. Some preliminary research suggests it may have positive effects on blood pressure (due, in part, to its potassium) and cholesterol. And it may be helpful in cases of mild diarrhea. But don’t believe claims that it can control diabetes, fight viruses, speed metabolism, treat kidney stones, smooth your skin, stop dandruff, or prevent cancer.
Bottom line: Drink coconut water if you find it refreshing or want to replenish electrolytes after a long workout. It’s a good source of potassium, which most of us could use more of. And it’s better for you than soda or other sugary beverages. But don’t buy into the hype that it has special healing properties.

The article above was from a Berkeley Wellness Alert newsletter

You may be surprised to know that you don’t need to drink eight glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration and stay healthy.

Don’t schools and countless experts advise it? What about those people chugging from water bottles all day long? It’s still a myth, and no one really knows where it came from originally. Today this claim is often made by (no surprise) the bottled water industry.

The notion that we don’t drink enough water — that is, at least eight glasses a day — is not only nonsense, but is “thoroughly debunked nonsense,” according to an editorial in the British journal BMJ.

Here are some other water myths. Drinking lots of water does not improve kidney function or help kidneys eliminate toxins — let alone improve overall health. It won’t bathe your organs in extra fluid and thus improve their function. Don’t expect it to lower blood pressure, boost concentration in kids, improve skin tone, or prevent headaches, despite the claims.

Yes, water is a great drink. If it comes from the tap, it’s cheap and environmentally friendly. And yes, it may help you control your weight if it replaces caloric beverages. But that doesn’t mean water promotes weight loss.

How much to drink? If you’re healthy and not exercising or working hard in the heat, thirst is your best guide. Most fruits and vegetables are about 90 percent water. Other beverages also provide fluid, as do soups and stews. Coffee and tea supply water, too; it’s a fallacy that they cause a net water loss.

Older people do need to try to drink more water — older bodies cope less well with heat, and thirst may be a less reliable indicator. People with recurring kidney stones may also benefit from drinking more water.

The article above is from Berkeley Wellness Alerts

Hey Guys, Drink a Beer to Bone Health

Memo to all the guys out there (and the women who love you): Quit walking to the kitchen every time those bone-health commercials come on. (Sally Fields, we love you. Really, we do.) All the talk about osteoporosis is not for women only.

Twelve million men have bones that are getting thinner and more brittle each day. (Is there a fracture in your future?) We’ve got some irresistible ways to keep yours safe, strong, and young.

How about a beer? Ah, now you’re paying attention! The bone-saving secret in brewskis is silicon, a chemical that stimulates collagen production. What’s collagen? A protein that makes your bones denser and your joints more flexible. Brews with the most hops and malted barley are the richest in silicon. (Here’s another surprising drink for better bones.) Not big on beer? Bananas and brown rice also are silicon-packed.

Anyone for Chinese food? Great! Many dishes (nonfried, please!) are full of broccoli, bok choy, and edamame (soybeans), which means they’re bursting with bone-strengthening calcium. But go easy on the soy sauce; salt flushes out calcium. (Beyond calcium: Learn what else your bones need.)

Buff up those biceps. Weight-bearing exercises like push-ups, hiking, and carrying your sweetie’s groceries toughen bones as well as muscles.

Munch zinc-rich dark chocolate, peanuts, or walnuts, and take your vitamins. Men with osteoporosis are often low in zinc, which is used in the bone-building process. If you don’t eat these zinc-rich foods, consider a 15 milligram zinc supplement. Add a bone-strengthening combo supplement with 600 milligrams of calcium, 1,000 international units of vitamin D3, and 200 to 300 milligrams of magnesium. We take one daily.

This is an article from “RealAge”. Hope this helps!!

Does money make people happier? Less than you may think. Here are 6 tips from experts on the science of happiness.
The wealthy are happier than the poor, studies have found, and wealthy countries are happier than poor ones–but only a little, on average.
That’s surprising, since money helps us live healthier, longer lives, allows us more time to spend with family and friends, and gives us more control over our lives–all key ingredients for happiness.
If that’s the case, why doesn’t money buy more happiness? “Because people don’t spend it right,” according to a recent paper in the Journal of Consumer Psychology.
The authors, who are professors of psychology and experts on the science of happiness, offer principles to help people spend money in ways that are likely to increase their happiness, including these:
1. Buy more experiences and fewer material goods. That is, spend on leisure activities–vacations, adult-education classes, concert tickets–instead of on more stuff. Experiences stay with you, but we adapt to possessions quickly so their pleasure wears off.
2. Spend money on others. Giving money or gifts strengthens social bonds (which amplify happiness) and activates brain areas associated with receiving rewards.
3. Buy many small pleasures rather than one large one, especially if money is limited. The buzz from even a big purchase wears off relatively quickly.
4. Delay consumption, prolong anticipation. Looking forward to an event is a great source of pleasure, even if the event ends up being a letdown.
5. Consider how purchases will affect your day-to-day life. Happiness is often shaped by the “uplifts” of daily life, and unhappiness by the hassles, more than by major life events.
6. Pay close attention to the happiness of others. Research suggests that the best way to predict how much you’ll derive pleasure from something is to see how much others have enjoyed it.

Excerpt from Berkeley Wellness Alerts

Peanuts are the most frequently consumed “nut” in the U.S., even though technically they are not nuts. In some ways, peanuts are even better for you than true nuts.

Unlike “tree nuts” (almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, among others), peanuts grow on the ground and belong to the legume family (which includes beans, lentils, and peas). They are typically grouped with tree nuts because they have many physical and nutritional attributes in common.

What’s in a peanut?

Plenty of good things for your heart, including B vitamins (notably folate), vitamin E, magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, and fiber, along with an array of phytochemicals, such as arginine (which helps relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure), phytosterols (which lower cholesterol), and phenols (antioxidants).

Peanuts are the only “nuts” that have resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, wine, and soy that may be heart-healthy and have other benefits. Peanuts also have more protein than any tree nut–ounce for ounce, as much as poultry, fish, or meat. It’s true they are high in fat and thus calories (160 per ounce), but as with all nuts, most of the fat is heart-healthy unsaturated fat.

Goober research

Studies have shown that all kinds of nuts have beneficial effects on blood fats, inflammation, blood vessel function, and overall heart disease risk. Few have looked at peanuts alone, but a study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found lower triglyceride levels in people eating peanuts. And in a study in the journal Lipids, women had lower cholesterol when they consumed peanuts (one to two ounces a day for six months) in place of other fats and some meat. Moreover, peanuts have been linked with reduced oxidation of LDL cholesterol (oxidation makes this “bad” cholesterol even more damaging to arteries) and lower insulin levels.

People who regularly eat nuts, including peanuts, tend to be healthier, in general. And they tend to weigh less (or at least don’t weigh more) than people who don’t eat them. Like all nuts, peanuts are filling because of their protein and fiber.

Smooth or crunchy?

Peanut butter has the same nutritional benefits as peanuts. In the Nurses’ Health Study, women who reported eating a tablespoon of peanut butter at least five times a week had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, compared to those not eating it.

But check the ingredients: most peanut butters have added salt and sugar. And some contain added partially hydrogenated oil, a source of unhealthful trans fat, though the amounts are very small. Natural peanut butters tend to be nothing but ground peanuts.

Bottom line: Unless you are allergic, there’s good reason to enjoy a handful (an ounce or so) of nuts most days, with peanuts as one variety. Eat them in place of other foods, particularly snacks that are high in calories and low in nutrients.